1. Secure windows, doors and access points

• Close all windows completely, including basement, attic and secondary windows. A tilted window should be treated as an open window for security purposes.
• Lock the front door fully when leaving; do not merely pull it shut.
• Include patio and balcony doors, basement entrances, garages, sheds and side entrances in your final check.
• Do not hide keys outdoors, such as under doormats, flowerpots or stones.
• Check that spare keys are held only by trusted people and cannot be accessed without authorisation.
• Before departure, walk through every room and around the outside of the property; check windows, doors and outbuildings.

2. Improve physical protection long term

• Fit external doors with high-quality, burglary-resistant locks and protective fittings.
• Upgrade windows and French doors with tested additional locks, mushroom-head locking systems or lockable window handles.
• For shutters, consider protection against being forced upwards.
• Do not assess only the front of the property: patio doors, basement windows and rear windows are particularly important.
• Use a free police crime-prevention consultation for an objective assessment of your property's weak points.

German Police Advisory Service: Secure living – burglary prevention

3. Simulate occupancy realistically

• Use timers or smart-home routines to turn on lights in several rooms at varying times.
• Do not leave shutters closed throughout the entire trip. If possible, programme different opening and closing times.
• Optionally use a radio or TV simulator on a timer, without disturbing neighbours with noise.
• Install or check motion-activated outdoor lighting at entrances, garden paths and patios.
• Avoid a rigid routine: lights switching on at exactly the same time every evening look less natural.

4. Arrange neighbours and mail

• Tell a trusted person about your absence and leave your contact details and travel dates.
• Arrange for the mailbox to be emptied regularly and pause or redirect parcel, newspaper and other deliveries.
• For longer trips, ask someone to check the property occasionally so visible issues or damage can be noticed early.
• Only if appropriate, ask the trusted person to operate shutters or water plants. They do not need to enter your home every day.
• Give keys only to people you trust completely; never label keys with your address.

5. Do not publicly signal your absence

• Do not state specific holiday dates or imply that your home is empty in voicemail greetings or automatic email replies.
• Do not publicly share travel plans, exact departure and return dates, or live locations on social media.
• Post vacation photos after you return, or strictly limit visibility to a small, trusted group.
• Cancel planned contractor appointments in advance, or ensure they take place only when a clearly agreed, trusted person is present.

6. Secure outdoor areas and outbuildings

• Put away or lock up ladders, tools, garden equipment and other items. They can serve as climbing aids or burglary tools.
• Lock sheds, garden houses, garages and bin storage areas.
• Make sure wheelie bins, garden furniture, crates or boxes cannot be used to reach windows or balconies.
• Switch off or secure outdoor sockets if they are not needed.
• Keep hedges, bushes and lighting arranged so entrances and windows are not completely concealed from view.

7. Use smart-home and alarm technology

Austrian Online Security Portal: Securing your smart home before a vacation

8. Protect valuables and important documents

• Do not leave cash, jewellery, watches, small electronics or important documents in plain sight.
• Photograph valuable possessions and create a list containing descriptions, serial numbers and proof of purchase.
• Consider storing especially valuable or irreplaceable items in a suitable safe or a bank safe-deposit box.
• Store insurance documents and your insurer's emergency contact number digitally and separately from the originals.

9. Departure day: 10-minute final check

1. Check and lock all windows and exterior doors.
2. Check patio, basement, garage and secondary access points.
3. Activate the alarm system or away mode.
4. Turn on timers, lighting and shutter automations.
5. Confirm mailbox and key arrangements with your trusted contact.
6. Put away ladders and tools; lock the shed and garage.
7. Secure valuables and make essential documents available digitally.
8. Do not publish any public indication that you are away.

10. If something suspicious happens

• In the event of an active break-in or clear signs of forced entry, call the police and avoid entering or altering the affected areas where possible.
• Your trusted contact should not put themselves at risk; if they observe something suspicious, they should call the police.
• Once the police have cleared the property, photograph damage, make a list of stolen or damaged items and contact your insurer.
• If a smart-home alarm is triggered, review available camera or sensor information first; if there is a concrete concern, call the police immediately.

K-EINBRUCH: The Police Security Package (PDF, German)