Vacation season raises home security stakes

YARMOUTH, Maine—As Americans hit the road for summer vacations, home security providers say homeowners are increasingly relying on connected security systems, smart automation and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered monitoring to protect their properties while away.  

Industry executives say summer brings increased travel, changing family routines and more time spent outdoors, all of which can create security vulnerabilities.  

According to ADT's 2023 Summer Travel Survey, 66% of respondents said they could do a better job protecting their homes while traveling, while 48% reported feeling nervous about leaving their homes unattended during vacations.  

Changes in routine create risks  

For security providers, one of the biggest summer challenges isn't sophisticated criminal activity but disruptions to normal routines.  

"One trend we consistently see during the summer is that security risks often stem from changes in routine rather than sophisticated criminal activity," said Jimmy Lin, vice president of product management at ADT.  

Vacations, outdoor activities and children being out of school can lead to unlocked doors, open windows and garages left unsecured. Sandra Yang Scirpo, chief customer officer at SimpliSafe, said that changing schedules can also result in less consistent arming of security systems.  

Cameras and automation gain importance  

As travel increases, providers report continued demand for cameras and video doorbells that allow homeowners to monitor their properties remotely.  

"Cameras become something that is very important to customers as they leave," said Veronica Moturi, chief customer officer at Brinks Home. "It's their additional eyes outside and inside the home when someone's physically not there."    

Moturi said AI-powered cameras can distinguish between people, vehicles, deliveries and animals, helping homeowners focus on alerts that matter most.  

Providers also encourage homeowners to use automation features such as scheduled lighting, automatic arming and garage door monitoring to help create the appearance that someone is home.  

Avoid common mistakes  

Security experts say one of the most common mistakes homeowners make is unintentionally signaling that no one is home.  

Packages piled on porches, overflowing mailboxes, overgrown landscaping and dark homes can attract unwanted attention. Providers recommend pausing deliveries when possible or asking neighbors to collect packages.  

Scirpo also warned against sharing vacation updates on social media in real time.  

"People understandably want to share vacation photos in real time, but posting while you're away can unintentionally announce that your home is sitting empty," she said.  

Looking beyond the front door  

Summer also presents risks involving bicycles, grills, lawn equipment and other recreational gear left outdoors. Garages, sheds and side yards often contain valuable property but may be overlooked.  

Lin noted that overgrown landscaping can obstruct camera views and create hiding places near a home, while ladders and tools left outside can provide easier access to upper-story windows.  

Moturi added that homeowners traveling for extended periods may benefit from devices such as motion sensors, glass-break detectors and smart garage door monitoring.   

Despite advances in technology, all three executives agreed that preparation remains the most effective defense.  

"Being proactive is the name of the game," Scirpo said. "Protecting your home while you're away doesn't have to be complicated."  

Related: Brinks Home goes proactive