9 Ways Arizona Homeowners Can Keep Their Home Safe While Traveling. Plus One Tip Most People Forget

Before leaving your Arizona home, secure valuables, arrange mail and yard care, use security technology, tell a trusted neighbor, and have someone check the property regularly.

Whether you’re escaping Arizona’s summer heat, heading out for a long-awaited vacation, or leaving your home for just a few days, there’s one thing you don’t want following you on your trip: worry about what’s happening back home.

A little preparation can make a big difference.

As an Arizona Realtor, Maya Minic knows that caring for a home doesn’t stop when the owners leave town. Having a simple plan can help you protect your property and spot small problems before they turn into expensive surprises.

Here are nine things to consider before your next trip.

1. Make a Home Check Plan Before You Leave

If someone will be checking your home while you’re away, walk through the property with them beforehand.

Show them where important systems are located, explain your security system, and provide contact information for any maintenance professionals who regularly service the property.

This is also a good time to decide how often someone should check your Arizona home while you’re away.

2. Tell a Trusted Neighbor You’ll Be Gone

Good neighbors can be one of your best resources.

Introduce the person checking your property to a trusted neighbor. That way, your neighbor knows who is authorized to be at the house and has someone to contact if anything looks unusual.

Phoenix Police also recommend asking a trusted neighbor to watch your home and collect mail while you’re traveling.

3. Don’t Let Mail, Packages and Trash Give You Away

An overflowing mailbox, packages sitting at the front door, or trash bins that never move can make an empty house look noticeably empty.

Before leaving:

• Stop or forward your mail when appropriate.

• Arrange for packages to be collected.

• Make a plan for trash and recycling.

• Keep landscaping and yard maintenance on schedule.

These small details help your home maintain its normal appearance.

4. Never Leave a Hideaway Key

That clever hiding place may not be as clever as you think.

The original home-safety checklist recommends never using hideaway keys. Instead, make sure the person checking your property keeps the key securely with them.

Scottsdale Police gives homeowners similar advice, specifically warning against leaving keys outside under rocks or on porches.

5. Use Technology to Keep an Eye on Your Arizona Home

Technology can add another layer of protection while you’re traveling.

Consider using a video doorbell, motion sensors and monitored home security system, all of which are highlighted in Maya’s homeowner safety guide.

Timers for indoor lighting and dusk-to-dawn exterior lighting can also help make a home appear occupied. Scottsdale Police recommend both when residents leave for vacation.

6. Have Someone Look for More Than Security Problems

Here’s something homeowners can easily overlook.

A home check shouldn’t only be about looking for signs of a break-in. The person visiting should also watch for water leaks, pests, damage and maintenance issues.

That can be particularly valuable in Arizona. The City of Phoenix recommends regularly looking for household leaks and notes that an unexpected increase in water usage can signal a hidden problem.

7. Check the Exterior First

Whoever is checking your home should look around the exterior before going inside.

Are there packages at the door? Signs of damage? Something unusual in the yard?

The checklist also recommends that a person visiting alone tells someone where they’re going and when they expect to return. Personal safety matters just as much as property safety.

8. Ask Whether Your Local Police Department Offers Vacation Watch

This is the tip many Arizona homeowners don’t know about.

Some Arizona police departments offer Vacation Watch or House Watch programs.

For example, Scottsdale residents can request police drive-bys while they’re away, although checks depend on officer availability. Paradise Valley and Queen Creek also offer vacation-watch programs with their own requirements.

Check with your local police department before leaving because eligibility, notice periods and services vary by community.

9. Lock Away Valuables Before You Go

Even when someone you trust will be entering your home, valuables and sensitive documents should be secured before your trip.

Think beyond jewelry and cash. Consider passports, financial documents, spare keys and anything containing sensitive personal information.

What’s the Most Important Thing to Do Before Leaving Your Arizona Home?

Create a plan rather than simply locking the door and hoping everything will be fine.

Know who will check your property, how they’ll contact you, what they should look for and who they should call if something goes wrong.

For Arizona homeowners, especially those leaving for extended summer vacations, that extra preparation can provide some much-needed peace of mind.

And if you’re buying, selling, or simply have questions about taking care of your Arizona home, Maya Minic is here to help you feel informed and confident about your next move.

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