10 tips for a secure home this Easter

First Posted: February 24th 2025

Edited: March 24th 2025

With the kids being off school and the weather starting to warm up, Easter is a time when many families choose to jet off on holiday. However, if you’re heading abroad or taking a staycation this Easter – or leaving your home unoccupied for a long period of time – then you run the risk of extending an open invitation to burglars!

If you're planning to travel over the Easter holidays, it's important to think about how to secure your home when you're away. But don’t worry, these 10 spring security tips from SimpliSafe will have you covered!

1. Make your home appear occupied when you’re on holiday

The trick with leaving your home empty for a few weeks is to do everything you can to make it look as though you’re still there!

Those with ill intentions towards your property may look for the following:

• Post and delivery boxes starting to pile up

• Empty driveway or no vehicle parked out front

• No lights on when it gets dark, or a very predictable pattern to lights coming on

• Garden starting to look wild, such as a lawn that needs mowing or too many weeds

• Bins still out front after being emptied, or left unmoved for a long period of time

Of course, there’s only so much you can do to make your house look occupied when there’s no one there, but knowing what burglars will look out for can ensure you take as many steps as possible to protect your property. Here are some quick examples of things you can do to secure your home when you’re away:

• Use smart lighting schedules (that aren’t overly predictable) to simulate occupation. Many smart lights will allow you to connect to an app to control them remotely, enabling you to switch up the schedule.

• Ask neighbours to collect your post and deliveries so they don’t pile up and make it obvious you’re away this Easter. You can also offer to do this for them when they’re away!

• Alternatively, pause your deliveries while travelling – this means you won’t have to worry about dealing with them at all.

• Move valuables away from windows – this is also a good tip at any time of year, but if you’re not at home it’s particularly important that you don’t entice any opportunistic thieves!

2. Lock all entry points

It may sound simple, but in the rush to remember everything for your journey, the little things can often be overlooked. And there’s spots that can often be forgotten too, such as pet doors (as burglars can use tools to reach inside and unlock from within) and high up windows, even if you have a second or third storey.

Check all entry points before leaving on holiday, including doors, windows, garages, cat flaps and sheds. Burglars often target unsecured windows or secondary entrances, and may go around the neighbourhood trying door handles to find a good opportunity. If all doors and windows are securely locked, many opportunists or less skilled burglars won’t attempt to force entry, preferring easier targets. 

3. Cover all areas of your home

One of the most effective ways to protect your home while travelling is installing a home security system with cameras, sensors and alarms. Or, if you already have one, an upcoming holiday is the perfect time to take a look at it with fresh eyes. 

Ask yourself if there are any areas that could benefit from some extra protection. Remember that entry points, including all doors and windows both inside your home and in external structures like garages and sheds, should have motion sensors and entry sensors to alert you to unexpected visitors. Outdoor cameras and video doorbells are also great additions to your system, giving you access to high-quality recordings you can watch on your phone.

4. Use professional monitoring

If you have a home security system with SimpliSafe, then you might consider making use of our Professional Monitoring service. Here’s how it works:

1. When an alarm is triggered in your home, the siren will sound.

2. One of our security specialists will call you.

3. They will confirm the break-in through the cameras in your home.

4. If a break-in is confirmed, you will receive notification of a Securitas Guard dispatch.

Professional monitoring not only ensures that your home is being watched when you’re away, but also that any emergencies are met with a swift response.

5. Ask a neighbour to check your home whilst you’re away

Many of the giveaway signs we mentioned in the first point can be mitigated with the help of a friendly and trusted neighbour. Start by letting them know that you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, and ask if they’d be willing to keep an eye on your house. Simple tasks such as collecting post and deliveries, sorting out bin collection and even parking a car in front of your home can deter opportunistic criminals.

Ask them if they would be comfortable with contacting the police if they notice anything suspicious, and be sure to give them your holiday contact information so they can get in touch.

6. Avoid hiding your spare key somewhere obvious

It’s vital that everyone learns where not to hide spare keys. We all know the ‘key under the mat’ trick, or even the key in a fake rock or under a flower pot, but for the seasoned criminal out there, they will likely check these obvious places first. Even if this is a tactic you employ on a usual basis – which we don’t recommend anyway – then make sure it’s removed and placed somewhere for safekeeping. Otherwise you’re handing a burglar your home on a silver platter!

7. Check your home for security weaknesses

You may not be able to get into the mind of someone who doesn’t have the best intentions for your home and property, but you can still take a look at the exterior from the perspective of an outsider. Try to ask yourself the following questions as you take a look around outside:

• How many ways could I get inside?

• Which windows are easiest to access? 

• Can I spot valuables simply by peering in through a window?

8. Be mindful of social media

Did you know that burglars can use social media when planning which houses to target? Depending on your privacy settings and who you’re ‘friends’ with, you may be connected with strangers, and posting that you’re going on holiday is basically an open invitation.

We recommend saving those holiday snapshots until you get home, but it’s always a good idea to practise strong digital hygiene anyway, which you can do with the following steps:

• Check your privacy settings – are they as secure as they can be?

• Don’t share revealing or personal information, such as your car’s registration plate, the front of your house or your address.

• Only accept friend requests when you can guarantee you know the person.

• Avoid ‘checking in’ to locations, especially live!

• Avoid showing off valuables, such as engagement rings or new tech purchases.

9. Teach children home security rules during school holidays

If you have children in the house who will be off school for a couple of weeks, it’s worth having a refresher session with them on the house rules when it comes to home security and safety. Some of these may not apply – as not all children can be left home alone – but if you have teenagers in the house, this will be especially important.

Here are some key points to cover:

• Stranger danger, and not answering the door to people you don’t know, or when parents aren’t home. 

• The importance of locking windows and doors.

• Teach them how to use your home security system.

• Have a ‘command centre’ of important numbers and what to do in certain situations.

• Refresh your family safety plan.  

10. Don’t forget online security

We’re all using the internet now more than ever before, and online safety and security shouldn’t be an area that falls by the wayside. Whether it’s you working from home or children accessing the internet for homework or gaming, there’s lot that you can do to stay safe online during the Easter holidays:

• Have strong passwords and refresh them regularly. Using a password manager can help prevent you from forgetting long and complex passwords. 

• Be wary of emails and attachments – don’t fall victim to phishing scams!

• Don’t give out personal information online. 

• Practise good social media hygiene – as we’ve covered above!

• Speak to your children about screen time and the potential impacts of cyberbullying, as they may be spending more time online during their holidays. 

Frequently asked questions

How do burglars know when you're on holiday?

Burglars often look for signs that a home is empty before attempting a break-in. These signs include:

• A build-up of mail or parcels

• Bins left out for long periods

• Lights that never turn on

• Curtains that remain closed day and night

And don’t forget that posting holiday updates on social media can also tell burglars you’re away from home, especially if you accept friend and follow requests from strangers!

What’s the best way to secure your home when you’re away?

Considering the risks listed above, here are some great ways to improve your home security over the Easter holidays:

• Lock all doors and windows

• Secure garages and sheds

• Remove spare keys from obvious hiding places

• Install a home security system with cameras, motion sensors and alarms

• Use timed smart lighting

• Ask neighbours to check your property

• Pause deliveries

Should you leave lights on when you go on holiday?

Leaving lights on continuously is not recommended because it can actually signal that nobody is home. Instead, use timers or smart lighting systems that turn lights on and off at different times in the evening. This creates the appearance of normal activity inside the house, helping you trick those opportunistic burglars! 

Plus, smart lighting can also be controlled remotely, allowing you to adjust schedules even whilst you’re away.

Do home security systems deter burglars?

Yes! Home security systems are widely recognised as an effective burglary deterrent. Visible cameras, alarm systems and security signage signal that a property is protected, making it a less attractive target for criminals.

We hope these home security tips will help you keep your family and valuables safe and sound over the Easter holidays! Contact SimpliSafe for more security advice, or check out our home security systems and ‘build my own system’ page to discover or create one that’s ideal for your property.