How to make your home instantly safer while you’re away on holidays

Expert Advice – 26 Nov 25 By Fiona Wright

(Image: Getty Images)

Keep your home safe while you’re away with these expert tips and smart buys.

Summer in Australia should be all about sandy car seats, SPF battles and kids begging for ice cream before breakfast.

But according to new research from Amazon, nearly 60% of Aussies struggle to truly switch off on holidays because they’re too busy worrying about what’s happening back home.

In fact, 65% say home security is their biggest concern while they’re away, and 63% admit they’d relax far more easily if they could check in on their home virtually.

From packages piling up on the doorstep to pets, gardens and that nagging “Did I lock the back door?” feeling, away-from-home anxiety is very, very real.

With a few expert tips and some smart tech upgrades, you can make your home instantly safer and finally enjoy your summer break the way it’s meant to be.

The smart guide to keeping your home safe while you’re away

Lock it down

Your doors and windows are your home’s first line of defence but only if they’re doing their job. Before you head off, do a quick walk-through to make sure everything actually locks properly. Roller doors, deadbolts, latches… check them all.

And don’t underestimate the power of good lighting. Motion-activated lights are great for keeping unwanted visitors moving along, but only if they’re placed well and still working. A quick twilight lap around your home will show you exactly where you need a little extra glow.

Video footage can put your mind at ease

Nothing settles the nerves quite like being able to see what’s happening in real time. Cameras with high-definition video, crisp night vision and instant phone access let you check in with a single tap, whether you’re at the beach or grabbing a lining up for an ice-cream.

And if something does go wrong, clear footage is invaluable for insurance claims or police support. It’s one of the simplest ways to feel safer while you’re away.

Make home safer: Ring camera — Ease that away-from-home anxiety with a camera that lets you check in instantly.

A smarter home in one simple app

If juggling multiple apps and passwords makes you want to lie down, you’re not alone. A smart home security system brings everything, including cameras, alarms, motion sensors, smart locks, together in one tidy, easy-to-use app.

It’s streamlined, family-friendly and exactly what busy households want: fewer worries, more calm, and total control from your phone no matter where summer takes you.

Make your home look alive (even when you’re not there)

Nothing shouts “We’re on holidays!” louder than overflowing mail, an overgrown front garden or a completely dark house night after night. Asking a neighbour to collect mail or giving the lawn a quick tidy before you leave helps your place look lived-in.

And while it’s tempting to share every beach sunset in real time on social media, holding off on posting until you’re back home helps keep your place off the radar of any opportunistic eyes.

The new tech buys helping Aussies finally relax

Amazon’s research shows 57% of Aussies worry about their homes while on holiday, so it’s no surprise switching off is so hard. To help, they’ve dropped 10 new smart home security devices from Ring and Blink, including upgraded video doorbells, sharper indoor and outdoor cameras, floodlights and smarter alarms that let you check in from anywhere.

Amazon has also launched the new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11, making it even easier to manage devices and stay connected.

With clearer video, smarter alerts and quick access from your phone, these tech buys gives families the peace of mind they need to actually relax – because summer should be spent soaking it up, not stressing about home.