Travelling securely – How to protect your home on holiday

Holiday at last – the suitcases are packed, anticipation is high. But no sooner have you boarded the plane or settled into the car than an uneasy feeling arises: Did I close the windows? Is water running somewhere? What if someone breaks in? Millions of people know this feeling. And it is justified: burglars know exactly when houses stand empty. In this guide we show you step by step how to comprehensively secure your home during the holiday season – from the classic checklist to intelligent water protection and complete smart home monitoring by smartphone. Whether you travel within Germany, to the Mediterranean, or to sun-soaked destinations like Tenerife, the principles remain the same.

Burglary and holiday – the numbers speak for themselves

According to the Police Crime Statistics (PKS), around 77,000 residential burglaries are recorded each year in Germany. What many do not know: burglaries cluster not only in the dark months but especially during summer holidays and over the Christmas period. The police prevention office K-Einbruch confirms that empty properties are the primary target of professional burglar gangs.

The German Insurance Association (GDV) regularly warns against carelessness during travel periods. Holidaymakers often forget basic measures and make it particularly easy for offenders. The good news: with the right preparation and modern security technology, you can drastically reduce your risk.

The pre-departure checklist

Before leaving the house, you should systematically work through the most important points. This checklist has proven itself in practice and covers both classic and technical measures:

Letterbox and exterior appearance

An overflowing letterbox is the clearest signal to burglars that no one is home. Ask a trusted person – neighbours, friends or relatives – to empty the letterbox daily. In addition, the lawn should not obviously become overgrown; in winter, the driveway and pathway should appear cleared. The more normal your house looks, the better.

Timers and lighting control

Classic timers on lamps are among the simplest and most effective measures. Vary the switch-on times so that no recognisable pattern emerges. Even more effective is control via smart sockets and switches, which we will examine more closely in the smart home automation section.

Inform neighbours and trusted persons

Inform at least one trusted person about your absence and leave an emergency number. Ask neighbours to watch for unusual activity – strange vehicles, open windows, unfamiliar people. A well-connected social environment is a valuable security factor that no technology can fully replace.

Windows, doors and shutters

Check all windows and doors twice. Tilted windows are legally considered open windows under insurance law and can jeopardise insurance cover in the event of damage. Do not close shutters completely – this signals absence. Ideal is an automatic control that raises shutters in the morning and lowers them in the evening.

Electronic devices and valuables

Unplug appliances that are not needed to minimise fire risk. Keep jewellery, important documents and cash in a firmly anchored safe or a bank deposit box. Photograph valuable items as evidence for the insurance.

Water leak protection – LeaksProtect & WaterStop

Burglary is not the only danger during your absence. Water damage is among the most common and most expensive claims in German households. A burst hose on the washing machine, a defective valve or a pipe burst – if water leaks for days or weeks, the damage can quickly reach five-figure sums. For such scenarios, Protexium offers a solution that addresses exactly this issue.

Place the LeaksProtect sensor at critical points: under the dishwasher, next to the washing machine, in the basement near the heating system and under the bathroom sink. The sensor operates wirelessly and is connected via the encrypted Protexium wireless system to the control panel. As soon as it detects moisture, a signal is sent to the WaterStop valve, which closes the main water line in 7 seconds. At the same time, you receive a push notification on your smartphone – whether you are on a beach in Spain or in a ski hut in Austria.

Read more about our water protection solutions on the fire protection & water protection page and in our detailed guide preventing water damage.

Smart home automation – simulating presence

The most effective burglary prevention is to create the impression that someone is at home. With modern smart home automation this succeeds deceptively well – and completely automatically.

Lighting control with WallSwitch and smart sockets

The Ajax WallSwitch enables control of existing ceiling lamps and wall lights via app or by schedule. Unlike simple timers, you can work with scenarios: in the morning at 6:45 the kitchen light comes on, at 7:30 the hallway, in the evening the television (light simulator) runs, and at 23:00 everything is switched off except a small night lamp. Scenarios vary automatically so that no recognisable pattern emerges.

Automating shutters and blinds

Smart shutters open in the morning and close in the evening – exactly like normal occupancy. This visual effect is hardly distinguishable from genuine presence for outsiders. Control is conveniently carried out via the Ajax app or via predefined scenarios you set up before departure.

Further automation options

Alongside light and shutters, you can also integrate radios, televisions and other appliances into the simulation via smart sockets (Ajax Socket). The more natural the interplay appears, the more deterrent it is for potential burglars, who typically observe the property first before striking.

Monitoring by app – your home in your pocket

Modern security technology enables you to access your cameras and sensors from anywhere in the world. Via the Ajax Security System app, you see in real time what is happening on your property. Outdoor cameras show the garden and driveway, indoor cameras monitor sensitive areas like the hallway or office.

The decisive advantage: you do not have to constantly look at your phone. The system operates fully automatically and only alerts you when something unusual happens. Motion detectors with photo verification (MotionCam) automatically send a photo or a short video to your smartphone and to the 24/7 monitoring centre when triggered. This way you immediately recognise whether it is a real alarm or just a cat.

For families with children or elderly relatives staying at home during your absence, the app offers additional security. You can learn more under child protection via SOS app.

Push notifications – informed instantly

The notification system of a Protexium security system works in multiple stages and leaves no gap. In the event of an occurrence – be it an opened window, movement in the garden, a water leak or a smoke detector alarm – you receive a push notification on your smartphone within seconds.

You can individually configure notifications: sensitive zones such as entrance doors and windows trigger immediate alerts, while less critical areas are only logged. All events are saved in the system log and can be reviewed later.

In addition to the app notification, the system informs the 24/7 monitoring centre in parallel, which responds according to your individual alarm and response plan. This way, in an emergency, professional help is on site within a few minutes – even if you are thousands of kilometres away.

Heating & cooling adjustment – saving energy

Why should the heating run at 21 degrees if no one is home? With smart thermostats and Ajax automation, you can reduce the room temperature to a minimum during your absence – for example 15 degrees in winter to avoid frost damage to pipes. Before your return you raise the temperature via app so that you enter a warm home.

In summer, the same principle applies to air conditioning. Reduce cooling to a minimum and activate it in good time before your arrival. Energy savings over a two-and-a-half-week holiday can range from 50 to 150 euros depending on the building and season – a welcome side effect of smart home integration.

In addition, you can monitor the power consumption of individual devices via the app. Unusually high consumption can indicate faulty devices – and thus a potential fire risk. Learn more about this aspect on our fire protection page.

Insurance tips for longer absences

Many household contents insurances impose special requirements on property security for longer absences – typically from 60 days. Check your policy before departure for the following points:

• Window and door closure: Tilted windows count as open windows. In the event of damage, the insurer may reduce or refuse payment.
• Obligation to report: For some policies you must report longer absences, especially if the property is uninhabited for more than 60 days.
• Water shut-off: Some insurers require shutting off the main water line during longer absences. With the Ajax WaterStop valve you meet this requirement elegantly and automatically.
• Certified security technology: Insurers recognise professional alarm systems according to EN 50131. A Protexium system can lead to better insurance conditions – in some cases up to 15% discount on the premium.
• Regular inspection: Ask a trusted person to check weekly that everything is in order. Document this – in the event of damage it can serve as evidence.

The GDV explicitly recommends taking both mechanical and electronic security measures before travelling. A professional alarm system in combination with smart home automation represents the combination that insurers rate most highly.

„Modern security technology protects not only against burglary but also against water damage, fire and energy waste. Those who intelligently network their home not only travel more securely but save money in the long term.“

Conclusion – Travel relaxed with a system

Travelling securely does not mean being paranoid – but being prepared. With a structured checklist, intelligent water protection via LeaksProtect and WaterStop, smart presence simulation and seamless app-based monitoring, you transform your home into a fortress you can control from afar.

The investment in a professional security system pays off not only during holidays: it protects your family and your property 365 days a year, increases the value of your property and lowers your insurance premiums. And most importantly: it gives you the certainty that everything at home is in order – so you can truly enjoy your holiday.