Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jul 16
ZDNET Lists 7 Vacation Home Security Checks as 75% of Burglaries Hit Empty Homes
Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jul 16

ZDNET Lists 7 Vacation Home Security Checks as 75% of Burglaries Hit Empty Homes

1 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 16

Summary

  • Seven checks top ZDNET’s vacation-prep guide: randomize smart lights, verify cameras and doorbells, issue temporary smart-lock codes, add leak sensors, audit the router, set thermostats to away mode, and tag valuables with trackers.
  • Nearly 75% of burglaries happen when no one is home, the guide says, making occupancy cues and remote alerts central; it also notes almost 4 in 10 burglaries do not involve forcible entry.
  • Water damage gets equal weight because insurance claims for it are roughly three times as common as theft and fire combined, prompting advice to use leak detectors, remote shut-off valves, and keep heat at 55°F/12°C.
  • Extra steps include unplugging non-essential devices to cut fire risk and checking that windows, doors, garages, sheds, and outbuildings are locked before leaving.

Insights

With burglary solve rates so low, are smart cameras a real deterrent or just a false sense of security?
Your smart home protects against burglars, but who is protecting your smart devices from being hacked?
Can smart home tech truly replace the simple security of a trusted neighbor watching your house?