Top Home Security Tips for Housesitters

One of the best home security tips is housesitting, especially for the homeowners and housesitters. Learn how to keep your host’s home and safe as possible. Even if you are an experience housesitter refresh your perspective on how to keep the home safe and sound.

Top Home Security Tips for Housesitters: How to Keep your Host’s Home Safe

home security tips include getting to know the neighbours — One of the best home security tips is introduce yourself to the neighbours

Photo by Belle Co

House sitting can be a rewarding and flexible way to travel, but with the responsibility of caring for someone’s home, keeping it secure becomes your top priority. Whether you’re house sitting in a quiet suburb or a bustling city, understanding basic home security practices is essential for safeguarding the property.

Here are some key home security tips to help you ensure your host’s home stays safe while they’re away.

The Top Home Security Tips

Lock all windows and doors

This might sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised how often unlocked windows or doors lead to break-ins. According to SafeWise, burglars gain access to a home via unlocked doors or windows in more than half of all residential break-ins of unoccupied homes.

As a house sitter, make sure all entry points to the home are locked and secured, especially at night or when you leave the house. Even if the homeowner mentions that certain windows or doors are typically left open, it’s often better to be cautious.

Double-check that everything is properly secured, including less obvious points of entry like basement windows, side doors, back doors, or garage doors.

Get familiar with the home security system

When you start your house sitting assignment, make sure to get familiar with the home security system. Get into the habit of setting the alarm whenever you leave the house and overnight while you’re asleep. The homeowners should provide you with instructions on how to arm and disarm the alarms, as well as any access codes or emergency contacts.

If there is any confusion or malfunction with the system, be sure to contact the homeowners immediately. Knowing how to properly manage these systems will give both you and the homeowner peace of mind.

Keep the home looking “lived in”

house with lights on at dusk — One of the top home security tips is ensure the home looks lived in and occupied

Photo by Binyamin Mellish

Another easy way to deter burglars is to maintain the appearance that someone is actively living in the house. Keep lights on in different rooms during the evening, open and close blinds or curtains, and take out the rubbish regularly.

If the homeowners receive regular mail or packages, make sure you’re collecting them daily. Piled-up mail or unattended packages are clear signals to thieves that no one is home.

Additionally, if you don’t have a car, consider asking a neighbour or friend to park their car in the driveway occasionally to give the impression that someone is coming and going from the house.

Do your research about the area

Before committing to a house-sitting job, it can be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the neighbourhood. Is it considered safe? Are there high rates of break-ins?

There are many different resources available online, such as local crime maps or community forums, which can provide valuable insights about the security situation in the area.

For example, Compare the Market recently completed a study, highlighting the top break-in hotspots in Australia, the USA, and Europe. Being informed about the area will help you be more proactive in preventing potential issues and staying alert to anything unusual.

Be mindful when using social media

As tempting as it might be to share photos of the home you’re staying in or the amazing view from the balcony, it’s best to avoid posting too much about your house-sitting job online. Broadcasting your location, especially in real-time, can attract unwanted attention. This is an absolute ‘No-no’ in the home security tips.

It’s also a good idea to not publicly advertise that you’re house-sitting and that the homeowners are away. If you must share, wait until after your stay or make sure your posts are private to avoid alerting potential criminals to the fact that the home is unoccupied by its owner.

Keep valuable items out of sight

It’s important to keep valuable items out of sight in order to help deter any potential break-ins. This includes expensive electronic devices, jewellery, and cash. Ask the homeowners if they have a safe for valuables or if there’s a particular place where they’d like you to store them while they’re away.

Some homeowners may also provide instructions on how they prefer to store their valuables, so make sure to follow their guidelines.

Build rapport with the neighbours

man petting dog — Get to know the neighbours and their pets, this is really important among the home security tips

Photo by Lisa FotiosA strong community can be one of the best security measures for a home. Before the homeowners leave, ask if they’d like to introduce you to any neighbours they trust.

This can be particularly important if you’ll be staying in the neighbourhood for a number of weeks or months. Building rapport with the people around you can mean they serve as an extra set of eyes on the property.

They’ll be able to recognise unfamiliar faces or strange behaviour more easily and alert you if something seems off. Plus, it’s always helpful to have a local point of contact if you ever feel uncomfortable or notice suspicious activity.

Know who to call in an emergency

In addition to knowing the basics of the home’s security system, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place for emergencies. Know the contact information for local law enforcement, the homeowner’s emergency contacts, and any nearby friends or family members they trust.

Keep this information easily accessible in case you need to act quickly during a break-in or suspicious event. Being prepared can help you stay calm and handle emergencies efficiently.

among the Best Home Security Tips is Trust your gut

Lastly, always trust your instincts. Your intuition is a powerful thing. If something feels off—whether it’s a strange noise at night, an unfamiliar car parked nearby, or someone lingering around the property—don’t ignore it.

Stay alert and take action if necessary, whether that means contacting the authorities or notifying the homeowner. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Housesitting and Using the Home Security Tips

House-sitting can be a rewarding experience that also comes with great responsibility. This is where the home security tips come in. As a house sitter, your role in home security is vital, and with a little planning and vigilance, you can keep the property well-protected from potential threats.

Building rapport with neighbours, knowing who to call in an emergency, and trusting your instincts are all important factors in providing effective house-sitting services. By following these tips and taking proactive measures, you can better ensure the safety and security of the home you’re watching over.

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