Home Security Checklist Before You Travel

A strong pre-travel security checklist is less about gadgets and more about removing “easy wins.” Police guidance stresses a consistent leaving-home routine and basics like locking up and not leaving valuables visible.

Core checklist:

• Doors/windows locked; garage secured.
• Valuables out of sight; avoid signals of absence.
• Lights on timers (common burglary-prevention advice to create occupancy cues).
• Mail paused/collected (uncollected mail is commonly flagged as a cue you’re away).
• If applicable: request USPS Hold Mail (U.S.).

Once you set the checklist, keep it stable—because habit research supports repeating the same behavior in the same context to build automaticity.