US Locksmith is a licensed (Lic #00443LK) locksmith company serving all of South Florida since 2004. Heading out for the holidays? An empty home is a target. These practical steps protect your South Florida property while you are away.
How Should You Secure Your Home Before Leaving for Vacation?
Start with your locks. Verify every exterior door has a working deadbolt and all windows latch securely. Set light timers, hold your mail, and tell a trusted neighbor your travel dates. These steps eliminate the most common signals that tell a burglar nobody is home.
Step 1 — Lock and Inspect Every Entry Point
Check every door and window before you leave, including the garage, side doors, and sliding glass doors. Deadbolts should engage fully, and sliding doors need a security bar in the track. If any lock sticks or does not latch properly, have it repaired before your trip.
Step 2 — Activate or Install a Security System
If you have an alarm system, arm it and verify the monitoring service has your current contact information. If you do not have one, even a basic doorbell camera can give you real-time alerts while you are away.
Step 3 — Use Light Timers to Simulate Occupancy
Set interior lights on timers so they turn on and off at different times throughout the evening. A dark house every night for a week signals vacancy. Smart plugs cost less than $15 each and can be controlled from your phone.
Step 4 — Hold Mail and Package Deliveries
A pile of packages on your porch or an overflowing mailbox is a major giveaway. Place a hold with USPS, pause Amazon deliveries, and ask a neighbor to grab anything that arrives. In South Florida, porch piracy spikes during the holiday season.
Step 5 — Tell a Trusted Neighbor
Let a neighbor know your travel dates and ask them to keep an eye on your property. A watchful neighbor is one of the best deterrents available.
Step 6 — Keep Vacation Plans Off Social Media
Posting vacation photos in real time broadcasts that your home is empty. Save the posts for when you return.
Before You Leave — Quick Checklist
All doors locked, all windows latched, garage secured, alarm armed, light timers set, mail held, neighbor informed, social media on pause. If any lock needs attention, call US Locksmith — same-day service available across South Florida.
Bottom Line
For expert help with locks, rekeying, or security upgrades anywhere in South Florida, US Locksmith is available 24/7. Licensed (#00443LK), bonded, and insured; serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties since 2004. Call 1-866-776-6062.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have lost a key recently, had a roommate move out, or suspect someone has an unauthorized copy, rekeying before vacation is a smart precaution. If your keys are accounted for and locks are in good condition, a thorough inspection is sufficient.
Use light timers or smart plugs to turn lights on and off at varying times. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally. Hold mail and packages so nothing piles up.
A doorbell camera, indoor cameras, and smart sensors connected to your phone give you real-time alerts and live video. Many systems cost under $200 and do not require professional installation.
Yes. Standard sliding door latches are easy to defeat. Add a security bar in the track, a foot-bolt lock, or a secondary pin lock before you leave.
Do not go inside. Call 911 first and wait for law enforcement. Once safe, contact a licensed locksmith to change or rekey all locks immediately. Document any damage for your insurance claim.
Need a Licensed Locksmith? Call US Locksmith
Available 24/7 across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County. Licensed (#00443LK), bonded, and insured.
Call 1-866-776-6062Learn more from the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA).