How to protect your home, secure peace of mind this summer

Heading off on a summer holiday should be an opportunity to unwind. But new research from security brand Reolink reveals that nearly half of Brits (46%) worry about home security while they’re away…

Whether you are jetting off for a fortnight or heading out on a road trip, leaving a property unattended brings a host of anxieties regarding parcels, pets and vacant properties.

According to Reolink’s study, confidence in leaving a home empty drops dramatically the longer a trip lasts. While seven in ten people feel comfortable leaving their property unattended for a weekend break, that figure plummets to 58% for a week, 44% for a fortnight and just 33% for holidays lasting three weeks or more.

Furthermore, security concerns are not limited to fixed houses. Among motorhome, caravan and campervan owners, 56% worry about theft or security when their vehicles are left parked and unattended.

Managing deliveries is another major pre-holiday hurdle. Over a quarter of holidaymakers worry about parcels arriving while they are away, prompting nearly four in ten to redirect packages and almost a third to delay deliveries altogether before locking up.

Social media concerns

Social media habits also pose potential security risks. While 88% of Brits understand that posting live holiday updates signals an empty house, one in four still regularly shares holiday content before returning home. Security experts advise waiting until you are back to share your photos to avoid advertising a vacant property.

Regional confidence levels also vary significantly across the UK. Greater London emerged as the most confident region, with more than three-quarters (77%) of residents feeling prepared when leaving their homes unattended, and Edinburgh topped the city rankings at 82%.

In contrast, homeowners appear much less assured in places like Northern Ireland (30%), the West Midlands (30%), and the East Midlands (29%), where only about three in ten residents feel prepared.

Pet worries

Pets are another major reason holidaymakers feel the need to stay connected. Monitoring technology varies heavily by region, with Greater London leading the UK as 36% of residents use security cameras to check on their pets while away.

At a city level, Sheffield leads at 32%, closely followed by London (32%), Cardiff (31%), and Leeds (30%), whereas Scotland records the lowest regional usage at just 17%, with Edinburgh ranking lowest among major UK cities at 15%.

Highlighting the delicate balance between escaping everyday life and staying connected, Ali Park, UK Country Manager at Reolink, says: 

“Most of us have a holiday routine before we leave, whether that’s double-checking the front door, sorting out deliveries or asking someone to feed the cat.

“What’s interesting is how these habits have evolved as people look for more ways to stay connected to home while they’re away. Our research shows that parcels, pets and worries about home security still have a habit of breaking into people’s trips.”

5 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE THIS SUMMER

To ensure true peace of mind while away this summer, consider following these essential independent home security tips:

• Secure All Entry Points: Double-check every window, back door and garage entry before leaving. Even a small latch left unfastened can compromise an otherwise secure property.

• Manage Deliveries Wisely: Arrange for a trusted neighbour or family member to collect mail and packages daily so they do not pile up on the doorstep as a telltale sign of absence.

• Use Timers on Lights: Create a lived-in look by setting automatic timers for interior lights and radios to deter potential intruders after dark.

• Think Before You Post: Save the holiday photo dumps for after your return to keep your travel dates private from public view.

• Disconnect Non-Essentials: Unplug unnecessary appliances to save energy and reduce fire hazards while the house is empty.