Most pre-holiday advice is about timers and mail. However, the door itself is what an opportunist actually tests, and a few minutes of checking beats any amount of lighting.
Test every lock, properly
Throw every deadbolt with the door closed, not open. Consequently you find out whether the bolt fully engages, which is the thing that actually matters. Furthermore, check the door that gets used least, because that is the one nobody notices has dropped. Therefore ten minutes of testing is worth more than any gadget.
Do not forget the garage service door
Attached garages connect into the house, and builders routinely fit the cheapest possible lock there.
Sliding doors and windows
Patio doors are the weakest exterior door on most homes, because the factory latch is a hook in thin aluminium. Consequently a foot bolt or pin lock makes a genuine difference. Additionally, check whether the panel can be lifted from the track, since roller adjustment usually prevents it. Meanwhile basement windows deserve a look, being low and out of sight.
Who holds a key while you are away
Someone should, for burst pipes and similar. However, that person should be one you would trust with the house generally. Consequently a neighbour beats a key under a plant pot by a wide margin. Furthermore, if you use a key safe, buy a decent one and mount it out of casual sight rather than beside the door.
What not to advertise
Do not post travel dates publicly before you leave. Similarly, cancel deliveries rather than letting parcels pile up. Additionally, a full mailbox is a clearer signal than any light timer can offset. Above all, the goal is a house that looks occupied rather than one that looks defended.
Questions we get about this
What is the single most useful check?
Throwing every deadbolt with the door closed, including the least-used door.
Are patio doors really the weak point?
Usually. The factory latch is a hook in thin aluminium.
Should I leave a key with a neighbour?
Yes, if you trust them with the house generally.
Are key safes safe?
Decent ones are. However, cheap units are trivially defeated, so buy well and mount it out of sight.
Do light timers help?
Somewhat, but a secure door helps more.
