15 Essential Things to Do Before Leaving Your Home for Vacation (2026 Home Security Checklist)

There's nothing quite like the excitement of heading off on vacation. Whether you're escaping to a sunny beach, visiting family, or taking a well-earned weekend away, the last thing you want is to spend your trip worrying about what's happening back home.

Unfortunately, many of the most expensive home emergencies don't happen all at once—they start small. A slow plumbing leak, a tripped breaker, a failed sump pump, or storm damage can go unnoticed for days or even weeks if nobody is checking on your property. By the time you return, what could have been a quick fix may have turned into a costly repair.

The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way. Before you lock the door and head to the airport, take a few minutes to work through this checklist to help protect one of your biggest investments.

1. Put Your Mail on Hold or Arrange for Collection

An overflowing mailbox is one of the easiest signs that a home is vacant.

If you're going away for more than a few days, ask a trusted friend or family member to collect your mail, or temporarily pause deliveries where possible. Newspapers, flyers, and packages left sitting outside also advertise that nobody is home.

2. Use Timers for Lights

A dark house every evening can draw unwanted attention.

Instead of leaving a light on 24 hours a day, use timers or smart lighting to create a more natural routine. Having lights turn on in different areas of the home during the evening makes it appear that someone is still there.

If you already use smart home devices, you can even adjust your lighting remotely while you're away.

3. Wait to Share Vacation Photos

It's tempting to post beach pictures the moment you arrive, but broadcasting that you're out of town tells everyone—including people you don't know—that your house is empty.

Consider waiting until you've returned home before sharing your vacation online. Your memories will still be just as enjoyable a few days later.

4. Reduce the Risk of Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common and expensive insurance claims homeowners face.

Before leaving, take a few minutes to:

• Check faucets and toilets for slow leaks.

• Inspect washing machine and dishwasher hoses.

• Make sure sinks are draining properly.

• Shut off the main water supply if it's practical and appropriate for your home.

A five-minute inspection today could prevent thousands of dollars in repairs tomorrow.

5. Adjust Your Thermostat

You don't need to keep your home at the same temperature while you're away, but you also don't want to turn the system off completely.

In the summer, keep the home cool enough to help control humidity. During the winter, maintain enough heat to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

Your home will be more energy efficient while still remaining protected.

6. Double-Check Every Entry Point

Before you leave, take one final walk around your property.

Make sure all doors and windows are locked, including basement windows, garage doors, and side entrances. Don't forget outdoor gates if they secure access to your yard.

If you have an alarm system or security cameras, verify they're working properly before you head out.

7. Tidy Up Your Yard

A neglected yard can quickly make it obvious that nobody has been home.

If you're leaving for an extended period, arrange for someone to mow the lawn, water plants if necessary, or clear snow during the winter months. Small details like these help your home continue looking lived in.

8. Unplug Unnecessary Electronics

Many electronics continue drawing power even when they're turned off.

Unplugging televisions, coffee makers, small kitchen appliances, and other non-essential devices can reduce energy use and provide an added layer of protection against electrical issues during storms.

Leave essential appliances, security systems, and anything required to keep your home operating safely connected.

9. Store Valuables Out of Sight

Take a few minutes to walk through your home from the outside.

Can expensive electronics be seen through a window? Are valuable tools sitting in the garage? Is a spare key hidden under the welcome mat?

Simple precautions like closing blinds where appropriate and securing valuables make your home a less attractive target.

10. Don't Forget the Little Things

Some of the smallest tasks are often the easiest to overlook.

Before you leave:

• Empty garbage and recycling.

• Remove perishable food from the refrigerator if necessary.

• Confirm smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

• Charge backup batteries for security devices.

• Make sure emergency contact information is current.

These simple checks can prevent unpleasant surprises when you return.

11. Let Someone Know You'll Be Away

Even if you don't want someone entering your home, it's a good idea to let a trusted neighbour or family member know you'll be away.

They'll be more likely to notice unusual activity, unexpected deliveries, or storm damage and can contact you if something doesn't look right.

12. Have Someone Actually Check Inside Your Home

This is where many homeowners assume they've done enough.

A neighbour driving past once a week may notice an open garage door, but they probably won't see a leaking water heater, a tripped breaker, an unusual smell, or signs of pests inside the house.

Having someone physically walk through your home provides another level of protection that simply can't be achieved from the street.

A proper visit includes checking for:

• Water leaks

• Signs of forced entry

• Storm damage

• Heating and cooling issues

• Plumbing concerns

• Pest activity

• Unusual odours

• General condition of the property

Finding a problem early often means the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major repair.

Peace of Mind Is Worth Planning For

Your home is likely one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. Spending a little time preparing before you leave helps protect that investment and allows you to enjoy your vacation with greater peace of mind.

For longer trips, having someone regularly check your property adds an extra layer of confidence. Knowing that someone is looking for problems before they become emergencies means you can focus on making memories instead of wondering what's happening back home.

At Helping Hands Abbotsford, our Home Watch service is designed to give homeowners exactly that peace of mind. We perform scheduled property visits, carefully inspect your home for potential issues, and provide updates after every visit so you always know how things are going while you're away.

If you're planning a vacation or will be away from your home for an extended period, we'd be happy to discuss a Home Watch plan that fits your needs. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation and would love the opportunity to help you leave home with confidence.

How to Protect Your Home While You’re Away: The Hidden Risks Most Homeowners Don’t Think About

There is nothing better than finally getting away from the everyday routine. Whether it’s a family vacation, a weekend trip, or spending a few months somewhere warmer during the winter, leaving home should be something you look forward to—not something that causes stress.

Most homeowners do the obvious things before they leave. They lock the doors, close the garage, turn down the thermostat, and maybe ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things. For many trips, that feels like enough.

The challenge is that the problems that cause the most damage to a home are often the ones homeowners never see coming.

A small water leak can quietly damage flooring and walls. A power outage can affect appliances and heating systems. A windstorm can damage a roof or property exterior. A small issue that could have been resolved quickly can become a much larger and more expensive problem simply because nobody knew it happened.

Whether you live in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Langley, or Aldergrove, leaving your home unattended comes with many of the same risks. The difference is not whether something unexpected could happen—it’s whether someone is there to notice it before it becomes a major problem.

The biggest threats to your home often aren’t what you think

When many people think about protecting their home while they are away, their first thought is security. They think about locked doors, alarms, and cameras.

Those things are important, but some of the most costly problems homeowners experience have nothing to do with a break-in.

Water damage is one of the biggest concerns when a home is left unattended. A washing machine hose, dishwasher connection, toilet supply line, or hot water tank can fail without warning. A small leak that would normally be noticed within hours can continue for days or even weeks when nobody is home.

The same applies to heating and cooling systems. A furnace failure during colder months or an air conditioning issue during extreme heat can create uncomfortable conditions and potentially lead to additional damage.

The problem is not always the event itself. The problem is the amount of time that passes before someone discovers it.

Time is often the difference between a repair and a disaster

Imagine a small leak under a sink.

If someone notices it the same day, it may require a simple repair and a quick cleanup.

If nobody notices it for several weeks, that same leak can lead to damaged cabinets, flooring replacement, mold concerns, and a much larger repair bill.

This is why regular home checks provide value. It is not about expecting something to go wrong. It is about reducing the amount of time a problem can exist unnoticed.

A home is constantly changing. Weather changes. Systems fail. Small issues develop. Even the most carefully maintained property can experience unexpected problems.

Fraser Valley weather creates unique challenges

Living in the Fraser Valley comes with many benefits, but homeowners also experience a wide range of weather conditions throughout the year.

Heavy rainfall can expose drainage issues or create water concerns. Windstorms can bring down branches, damage fencing, or affect exterior areas of a property. During colder months, freezing temperatures can increase the risk of plumbing problems.

When you are home, you naturally notice these things. You hear the unusual noise from the furnace. You see water where it shouldn’t be. You notice that something feels different.

When you are away, those warning signs can go unnoticed.

Smart technology helps, but it cannot replace a physical check

Smart home technology has come a long way. Security cameras, smart thermostats, water sensors, and monitoring systems are excellent tools that can provide homeowners with additional information and control.

However, technology has limitations.

A camera can show you that something happened, but it cannot walk through your home after a storm. A sensor may alert you to water, but it cannot investigate where the problem started. A smart thermostat can tell you the temperature, but it cannot notice an unusual smell or a system that is beginning to fail.

Technology works best when combined with someone who can physically check the home and take action when needed.

Why asking a neighbour may not always be enough

Many homeowners are fortunate to have great neighbours, and a trusted neighbour can be incredibly helpful.

However, there is a difference between someone keeping an eye on your property and someone conducting regular home checks.

A neighbour may notice if your garage door is open or if something obvious has changed from the outside. But they may not check inside your home, look for early signs of damage, or know what potential issues to watch for.

Professional home checks are designed around consistency. The purpose is to make sure your home receives attention even when you are unable to be there yourself.

What a professional Home Watch service provides

A Home Watch service is designed to give homeowners confidence while they are away.

During scheduled visits, a professional can look for signs of issues before they become emergencies. This may include checking for visible leaks, unusual conditions, security concerns, storm-related damage, heating or cooling issues, and general changes around the property.

Just as importantly, homeowners receive communication and peace of mind knowing someone has physically been inside their home.

For many people, the greatest benefit is not simply knowing their home is being checked. It is knowing they do not have to spend their vacation wondering, “I hope everything is okay.”

Protecting your home starts before you leave

Preparing your home before a trip is always a smart decision, but protecting your home while you are away goes beyond locking the doors.

It is about understanding the risks, knowing what problems can happen, and having a plan if something unexpected occurs.

Your home represents years of hard work, memories, and one of your largest investments. Taking steps to protect it allows you to enjoy your time away with greater confidence.

At Helping Hands Abbotsford, our Home Watch service provides scheduled property checks for homeowners throughout Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Langley, Aldergrove, and surrounding Fraser Valley communities. We help provide peace of mind by making sure your home receives the attention it deserves—even when you cannot be there.

Because being away from home should feel like a vacation, not a worry.