Every summer, millions of UK homeowners pack their bags and head off on holiday, giving burglars the perfect opportunity to target vacant properties. Burglaries increase by up to 25% in July and August compared to the winter months, largely because burglars know homes are more likely to be left empty for days or even weeks at a time.

Most home security advice follows the same well-worn script: lock your doors, set the alarm and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things. While that advice is sound, it barely scratches the surface. For every homeowner who remembers the basics, several subtle signs can quietly advertise their absence to the wrong people.

Here are five expert ways to deter any burglar, according to home security, design and property experts, that will ensure your home remains secure and lived-in while you’re on holiday.

1. Automate your blinds

One of the most overlooked indicators of a vacant home is blinds that haven’t moved in days. Most burglars are opportunists rather than career criminals – they scout streets looking for properties that feel dormant. Blinds or curtains left permanently closed give the impression of deliberate concealment. Equally, blinds left permanently open suggest nobody is home to care.

You could ask friends or family to house-sit, but this isn’t always viable for those last-minute getaways. Instead, setting your blinds on an automatic timer can achieve the same effect remotely.

"Creating the impression that someone is home doesn't have to involve asking neighbours for favours or arranging for someone to check on your property while you're away," says Tina Loveland, Senior Designer at Appeal Shading, bespoke electric blinds specialists. "Motorised blinds can be programmed to open and close throughout the day, helping a home maintain a lived-in appearance. Once installed, they're a simple solution that provides peace of mind for every trip without relying on anyone else.

“If you feel the need to open and close blinds at irregular times to make the automation less predictable, you can also remotely operate motorised blinds through an app on your phone,” Loveland continues.

“This is especially useful if you forgot to set a blind before you left, or if you know someone is coming round to check on the house and you don’t want to leave them in the dark!

“You’d be surprised at how many people don’t consider automating their blinds, but it’s a similar rationale behind setting your lights on smart timers. If your house looks lived in, burglars are less likely to break in, as they’ll be worried that someone could be home.”

2. Save your socials for home

This advice isn’t new, yet it’s the one most people tend to ignore. Burglars regularly monitor social media for information on homeowners’ whereabouts and holiday plans, as noted by security specialists at Latham’s Steel Security Doors. A geotagged photo on the beach, a post captioned "two weeks in Corfu!", or a Facebook check-in at an airport lounge is the digital equivalent of leaving a note on the front door.

The simplest fix is also the easiest: if you want to share holiday content, wait until you're home. The photos are just as good once you’re back on UK soil and your property isn't being advertised as unoccupied while you post them.

3. Give your lawn a close cut

A neatly maintained front garden is one of the easiest ways to give the impression of a home being lived in. Grass that hasn't been cut in two weeks, a border that's clearly been left to its own devices and leaves gathering on the driveway are all visual cues that nobody has been home for a while. In fact, even the Metropolitan Police warns that the condition and layout of a front garden can influence how vulnerable a property appears to potential intruders.

Richard Carter, Lawnmower Designer at Hayter, advises homeowners to “mow their lawn as close to departure as possible.” He explains:
“Grass grows much quicker in summer, and an obviously overgrown front lawn is one of the first things an opportunist will notice when looking for signs that a property has been left unattended. If you're away for more than a week, you could also ask a trusted friend or neighbour to give your lawn a trim while you’re away.

“Lower your lawnmower’s cutting height to get a neat and manicured look,” Carter continues. “As this lawn style requires proper maintenance and routine upkeep, it’ll also signal to passersby that someone has been home recently to work on the garden. Just be careful not to remove more than one-third of the grass height, as you don’t want to damage the soil in the process.”

4. Check your period windows before leaving

Homeowners with older properties face a less obvious security risk that often goes unaddressed. Michael Arrowsmith, manager and window expert at Etheridge Windows, warns that on traditional sash windows, the glazing beading — the timber strips that hold the glass in place — is often fitted to the exterior of the frame rather than the interior, potentially creating an easy access point for burglars. He explains: "Many homeowners don't realise that on traditional sash windows, the glazing beading is often fitted to the outside of the frame, which means a burglar can remove it without breaking a single pane of glass."

"Once the beading is off, they can simply lift out the glass and gain entry silently. It's a surprisingly common vulnerability that people overlook because they assume a locked window is secure. Thankfully, it's straightforward to fix. Relocating the beading to the inside of the frame, or adding sash stops and quality locks, significantly improves security and gives homeowners real peace of mind, especially during the summer holidays when properties are often left unoccupied."

5. Ensure side gates are locked too

You'd be surprised how many people forget to lock their side gates, assuming the front door is the only entry point that matters. In reality, side access can provide a discreet route to the rear of a property, where intruders are less likely to be seen by neighbours or passers-by.

The Metropolitan Police recommend keeping side gates locked at all times, noting that open gates allow easy access to the back of the home without attracting attention. Padlocked or reinforced fences act as an effective deterrent, particularly for opportunistic burglars looking for an easy target. After all, most would rather move on to a less secure property than risk drawing attention by climbing over fences or forcing entry.

Burglars are looking for easy opportunities, not challenges. By eliminating the subtle clues that signal an empty home, you can enjoy your holiday knowing your property is a far less attractive target.