The security of your vacation home is a fairly common concern among new owners and veterans alike. You want to make sure your vacation home is a safe place for your guests (and your belongings) without invading privacy or expending unnecessary effort. If you don't even know where to begin when it comes to security, we've outlined some options for keeping your guests comfortable and secure, and easing your concerns about the safety of your possessions.

Free Security Measures Develop a relationship with your neighbors. If you haven't yet made friends with the neighbors near your vacation home, it's time to stop by with a batch of cookies. Good neighbors can be your eyes and ears, especially while your home sits empty in between guests. Remember, your vacation rental listing likely shows your home's amenities, and if your calendar is up-to-date, it shows the days when no one will be staying there. If your neighbors are informed when the house is empty, they can let you know of any suspicious behavior; otherwise, they might just assume it's another renter. Set clear expectations with your housekeeper. Ok so your housekeeper isn';t free, but when you hire him/her, you should clearly outline your expectations for the job. Besides keeping your house clean, you may also ask that he/she check up on your home when it will be sitting empty for extended periods. Serving as an on-the-ground watchdog for your home should really be part of the package. Plus, once he/she becomes familiar with your home and your belongings, they';ll be able notice anything out of the ordinary or if something has gone missing. Leave your curtains closed. Sure, it's nice for your guests to arrive in a bright, sunny and open home. However, when you have several days in between guests checking out and checking in, there's no reason to turn your vacation home into a fishbowl. Have your housekeeper close all blinds and curtains when the house is going to sit empty for a while, but if you have back-to-back guests, it's probably fine to leave them open. Communicate with your guests. You should also include some guidelines in your house instructions or check-in procedures regarding safety precautions during your guests' stay. Advise all renters to keep valuables hidden, close all windows, and lock all doors before leaving the house. Just try not to go overboard – you don't want to scare your guests into thinking your home isn't safe. Similarly, inform guests about your smoke alarms and security system (if you have one) so they are prepared in the event of an accident or an emergency. In fact, we even have an example.

During our Florida seminar series, we stayed in a beautiful vacation rental where the smoke detectors were connected to the alarm system. When we finally had a morning off, we decided to cook bacon for breakfast. Unbeknownst to us at the time, the smoke alarms were very sensitive and would go off if the oven fan was not turned on. After desperately trying to wave a towel below the smoke detector, we received a call from the security company asking us for a password to shut off the alarm. Obviously, we had no idea what the owner's password was, and without it they would have had to send the fire department. Lo and behold, we were able to get in touch with the owner and come up with the password, but the whole situation could have been avoided with some clear instructions.

As an added safety precaution, you should update your passwords periodically, especially if you ever have to give them to your renters. Also, keep in mind that you can be fined for multiple false alarms so providing clear instructions and warnings is just another way to prevent added costs and trouble.

Low-Cost Security Devices

Deadbolts. If you don't currently have deadbolts on all the exterior doors of your home, you probably want to install them. Also, if you have an older lock that requires a key to get out of the home, these could be against fire code and should be replaced.

Timers on lights. You can purchase indoor/outdoor timers for as little as $10, and they can help give the appearance that people are inside even if the house is empty or discourage someone from snooping around where they would be visible.

Window locks. Window locks are pretty easy to install and can provide added safety, especially for first-floor windows.

“Beware of dog” sign. Placing a “beware of dog” sign outside your home could serve as an imitation security system. However, if you're concerned that this will make your renters uncomfortable, you could explain that it is a helpful land-marker so that they can easily find your home.

Higher-Priced Security Investments

Safes. Safes can range in price from under a hundred dollars to well over a thousand. However, it might be worth the investment if you're concerned about some of the personal belongings that you keep at your vacation home. Plus, you can advertise the safe as an added amenity that might be appealing to renters that are concerned with the safekeeping of their valuables.

Cameras. Some owners choose to set up outdoor cameras, or you can simply install dummy cameras around the perimeter of your home. This decoy might be enough to scare away a potential burglar. Just remember that webcams inside your home are highly inappropriate and likely illegal. If you choose to set up cameras outside (real or fake) be sure to have clear communication with your renters.

Alarm System. Some vacation destinations, particularly urban markets, might warrant investment in an alarm system. This added security might even be the deciding factor for some travelers, and there's a chance your insurance costs could decrease with the installation of a security system. If you choose to go this route, you will probably want to work with the monitoring company and inform them that you will have short-term renters in your home.

Another option is to go un-monitored, meaning an alarm will sound in the event of a break-in, but the security company is unaware and will not automatically contact the police. If that's the case, be sure to explain this to your guests and instruct them to call 911 in the event of a real emergency. Just remember that alarm systems can be difficult with renters, particularly changing the code after each guest, and you run the risk of fines for multiple false alarms.

You have a wide range of options when it comes to making your home and your guests feel secure. If you only take one piece of advice, though, just make sure to never leave your home unlocked with your keys for the renters sitting inside, especially when they're visible from a window. We know that your neighborhood probably isn't dangerous and this might simplify things for you or your housekeeper, but this could be extremely unsafe and could make your guests uncomfortable.

What security measures have you taken at your vacation home? "Installed timed lights and all night low voltage halogen lights for the saftey of guests. The path leading to unit is very close to the edge of pool. (4 feet) Considering to put pool light on timer. This is especially important for elderly or intoxicated guests! If rental is a small property ie: owner live on premises please put a bright light that is "motion detected" when parking. Tip: Solar ones are perfect and require no additional wiring." - Ellie, Florida “I installed a HomeSaver temperature alarm to call me if there's a problem while the property is vacant. If the power or heating system fails in the winter, I'll know about it. I've also added an additional sensor to detect water and wired it into the heating system so I can warm up the house for guests in the winter. A number of brands and models of these devices are available, from high-end units like the HomeSaver and Sensaphone to lower-cost units like the Freeze Alarm, so there should be one to fit your budget. It's a lot cheaper than having your pipes freeze!” - Phil, Smith Mountain Lake, VA

The Importance of Re-Keying Locks at Your Vacation Rental Re-keying your locks is more than a security issue. It can save you money, time, and hassles.   Fire Safety Laws and Vacation Homes Compliance with fire safety laws is an important part of protecting your business.   How to Protect Your Vacation Home (and Renters) During the Holiday Season How to protect your vacation rental home during the holiday season.   Complying with State, County and City Short-Term Rental Laws A list of considerations a new vacation rental owner should look into.

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