There's nothing quite like the excitement of planning a holiday, whether it's a weekend getaway to the coast or an extended overseas adventure. But that excitement can quickly turn to anxiety if you're worried about what might happen at home while you're away. Research from the Australian Institute of Criminology shows that unoccupied homes are significantly more likely to be targeted by burglars, who look for signs that residents are away.
The good news is that with proper preparation and the right use of your security cameras, you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind, knowing your home is protected and monitored. Here's how to secure your property before you leave.
Preparing Your Security Cameras
Test Everything Before You Go
A week before your departure, conduct a thorough test of your entire security camera system. Don't wait until the last minute to discover that a camera has gone offline or a battery needs charging. Verify that:
- All cameras are online and recording properly
- Motion detection zones are correctly configured
- Notifications are reaching your phone
- Cloud storage or local recording is functioning
- Night vision is working as expected
- Battery levels are sufficient (or fully charged)
Walk around your property at night and verify that each camera captures you clearly. This confirms both the camera's functionality and that you'll receive alerts if someone approaches during your absence.
Optimise Motion Detection Settings
While away, you'll want to be notified of any unusual activity, but not overwhelmed by false alerts. Fine-tune your motion detection before leaving:
- Increase sensitivity slightly: You'd rather have a few extra alerts than miss something important
- Expand detection zones: Cover more of your property than you might during normal occupancy
- Enable person detection: If your camera supports AI-powered detection, use it to filter out animals and moving shadows
- Set up notification schedules: Consider receiving alerts 24/7 rather than just during specific hours
Ensure Adequate Storage
Review your storage situation before departing. If you use cloud storage, verify your subscription is active and won't expire during your trip. For local storage, ensure your SD card or NVR has sufficient space for the duration of your holiday. Some systems can be configured to delete oldest footage when full, but you don't want important recordings overwritten while you're away.
Creating the Illusion of Occupancy
Burglars target homes that appear unoccupied. Creating the impression that someone is home is one of your most effective deterrents.
Smart Lighting Strategies
Smart lights paired with your security cameras create a powerful occupied-home illusion:
- Set random schedules for interior lights that mimic normal living patterns
- Program outdoor lights to turn on at dusk and off at a reasonable hour
- Use motion-activated lighting at entry points, which also improves camera footage quality
- Consider smart plugs for televisions or radios to create additional activity signals
🔑 Signs of an Unoccupied Home
- Overflowing letterbox
- No lights on at night
- Newspapers accumulating
- Bins left on the street after collection day
- Overgrown lawn (for longer holidays)
Managing Mail and Deliveries
An overflowing letterbox is a clear signal that nobody's home. Before you leave:
- Ask a trusted neighbour to collect your mail
- Put mail on hold through Australia Post
- Pause any regular deliveries (newspapers, subscription boxes)
- Redirect packages to a parcel locker or trusted friend's address
Remote Monitoring Best Practices
Reliable Connectivity
Your ability to monitor your home depends on having internet access wherever you're travelling. Before you go:
- Ensure your camera app works on mobile data, not just WiFi
- If travelling overseas, check your phone plan includes international data or arrange a local SIM
- Download offline maps and essential apps in case of connectivity issues
- Test viewing your cameras from a different network (like a friend's house) before departure
Managing Battery Concerns
If you're relying on battery-powered cameras, plan for the duration of your trip. A camera that dies mid-holiday leaves a gap in your coverage. Consider:
- Fully charging all batteries before departure
- Installing solar panels if available for your camera model
- Asking someone to recharge cameras if your trip is lengthy
- Reducing motion detection sensitivity slightly to conserve battery if needed
If your home internet is unreliable, consider having a neighbour who can check on things and reset your router if cameras go offline. Some homeowners use a smart plug on their router that can be remotely power-cycled if needed.
What to Do If You Spot Something Suspicious
Receiving an alert showing suspicious activity while you're on holiday is stressful, but having a plan helps you respond effectively.
Assess the Situation
Before taking action, carefully review the footage. Many alerts turn out to be deliveries, neighbours, or maintenance workers you'd forgotten about. If you're unsure, check multiple camera angles if available.
Contact Local Help
If you confirm suspicious activity:
- Call 000 if there's an emergency in progress
- Contact Police Assistance Line (131 444) for non-emergency concerns
- Notify your trusted neighbour or friend who can check on your property
- Use two-way audio (if available) to communicate through your camera
Avoid confronting potential intruders through your camera's speaker if you believe a break-in is occurring. Let authorities handle the situation.
Document Everything
If an incident occurs, your camera footage is valuable evidence. Immediately download and save relevant clips to prevent accidental deletion. Note the exact times of any suspicious activity for your police report.
Additional Security Layers
Trusted Neighbours
Your neighbours can be your most valuable security asset. A good relationship with neighbours means:
- Someone who can collect mail and move bins
- Extra eyes on your property
- A person who can respond to alerts if needed
- Someone to create activity around your home (parking in your driveway occasionally)
Share Camera Access Carefully
Some camera systems allow you to share access with trusted individuals. If you grant access to a neighbour or family member, ensure they know how to use the app and what to look for. You can usually revoke access remotely when you return.
Consider Additional Measures
Depending on the length and nature of your holiday, you might also consider:
- Professional house-sitting services
- Alarm system monitoring services
- Additional temporary cameras for specific areas of concern
- Secure storage of valuable items with family or in a safe deposit box
Before You Leave Checklist
Use this final checklist in the days before your departure:
- All security cameras tested and functioning
- Batteries fully charged or plugged into power
- Storage capacity verified
- Motion detection settings optimised
- Notification settings configured
- Smart lights scheduled
- Mail and deliveries arranged
- Trusted neighbour briefed
- Valuable items secured
- Emergency contacts noted
With these preparations complete, you can enjoy your holiday knowing your home is protected. Your security cameras provide continuous monitoring, and you're equipped to respond appropriately if anything unusual occurs. Travel safely and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with proper preparation.