Holiday Security - How To Keep Your Property Safe While You're Away

The festive season in South Africa is a time of sun, travel, and family gatherings, but unfortunately, it's also a peak period for home burglaries. Criminals know December often means empty houses, relaxed routines and distracted homeowners preparing for year-end breaks which is why December, and early January require not just sunscreen and travel planning, but also thoughtful, proactive home security measures.

Whether you're heading to the coast, travelling abroad or simply staying with family for a few days, keeping your property safe while you're away can save you from heartbreak and financial loss. With the right systems and habits in place, you can make your home a far less appealing target.

Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty shares their comprehensive guide to holiday security for South African homeowners.

1. Secure Your Perimeter Before You Leave

Before thinking about high-tech solutions, start with the basics. A property that looks cared-for and well-secured sends a clear message that it's being monitored.

• Inspect gates, fences and locks: Check that driveway gates close smoothly and can't be easily lifted off their tracks which is a common break-in method. Reinforce side gates with tamper-proof hinges and strong padlocks. Fix weak spots in your fence and ensure electric fencing is in working order.
• Cut back overgrown plants: Dense shrubs and untrimmed trees close to windows create hiding places for intruders. Clearing them improves visibility and signals that the home is maintained, not abandoned.

2. Make Your Home Look "Lived In"

Burglars look for telltale signs that a house is empty. Fortunately, there are simple ways to outsmart them.

• Arrange garden services while you're away: An uncut lawn, fallen leaves, or an overflowing pool can announce your absence, so if you plan to be away more than a week, scheduling your regular gardener to continue their visits protects both your garden and your security.
• Use lights strategically: Random-timed indoor lights give the impression of movement and activity inside the home. Outdoor lights - especially motion-sensor LEDs, deter criminals who prefer to operate in darkness.
• Avoid piling up post or deliveries: Ask a friend or neighbour to collect any flyers, packages or notices. Nothing advertises your absence faster than an overflowing mailbox.

3. Invest in Smart Home Security That Works During Load Shedding

South Africa's ongoing power challenges have changed the game when it comes to home security and a system that shuts down when the power drops is no longer reliable.

• Backup power for alarms and electric fencing: Make sure your alarm system, gate motor and fencing energiser are connected to a reliable UPS or battery backup. A fully powered alarm is one of the strongest deterrents.
• Wi-Fi-independent smart cameras: Cloud-enabled cameras that switch to mobile networks when Wi-Fi drops provide continuous monitoring. Choose units with battery backups and motion alerts to your phone.
• Door and window sensors: These simple wireless devices notify you instantly of any forced entry. They pair easily with smart home hubs and often work even during outages.

A modern security system should be resilient, connected and load-shedding-proof. It is well worth the investment - especially during the December break.

4. Build a Neighbourhood Safety Net

No security measure beats a trusted human network, and during the holidays, your neighbours are your biggest asset.

• Join or revive your neighbourhood WhatsApp group: Most South African suburbs have safety groups or street-level chats. If yours doesn't, consider starting one. These groups provide realtime updates on suspicious activity and allow neighbours to coordinate watch routines.
• Let at least one trusted neighbour know you're going away: They can watch for strange activity, take your bins out, or simply keep an eye on your property. Offer to do the same for them - holiday reciprocity builds community and improves safety.
• Use community patrols effectively: If you're part of a neighbourhood watch or security patrol service, inform them of your travel dates. Many offer additional check-ins for vacant homes during the festive period.

5. Leverage Lighting as a Deterrent - Inside and Out

Lighting is one of the most affordable, effective, and often overlooked security tools.

• Motion-sensor lights: These startle intruders and draw attention to movement. Place them at entrances, driveways, backyard access points, and near windows.
• Warm outdoor lighting: Continuous perimeter lighting creates a sense of visibility. Warm, low-energy LEDs (especially solar-powered units) are inexpensive and load-shedding friendly.
• Interior light timers: Lights that turn on and off at varied times mimic normal household patterns. Just avoid leaving the same light on continuously, that has the opposite effect.

6. Be Smart About Social Media- Don't Announce Your Holiday

In the age of Instagram stories and TikTok reels, oversharing has become one of the easiest ways to advertise an empty house.

• Post your holiday photos after returning home: Even if your profiles are private, posts can be shared or seen by people outside your immediate circle.
• Avoid live location tags: Nothing says "my home is empty right now" like a real-time beach photo with a pinned location.
• Turn off location services for camera apps: This prevents automatic geotagging of your holiday pictures.

Social media discipline is not about paranoia, it's about common-sense digital safety.

7. Hire a House Sitter or Use Trusted Services

If you're travelling for an extended period, consider hiring a reputable house sitter. A physical presence even for part of the day- is one of the strongest deterrents.

Look for sitters through trusted local platforms, references from neighbours or community forums. If using a pet-sitter, ensure they understand security protocols such as locking doors, setting alarms, and reporting suspicious activity.

Why Holiday Security Matters More Than You Think

Break-ins are not only financially devastating, they also create emotional trauma and long-term stress.

For many families, the loss of sentimental items is worse than the financial loss and, because the festive season is meant to be restorative, a burglary can undo the joy and relaxation of your entire holiday.

Preparing your home properly gives you peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy your break without constantly checking your phone or imagining the worst. It's one of the best gifts you can give yourself every December.

Your holiday should be about rest, not worry. By combining smart tech, practical planning, neighbourly support, and a few preventative habits, you can make your home far less attractive to criminals and return to a home exactly as you left it. With a little foresight, you can enjoy the festive season knowing your home is protected, secure, and ready to welcome you back.