Summer home protection: Ten things to do before you go on holiday

6 August 2026
Mike Beeley
6 min read

Whether you’re heading abroad for a summer holiday or spending time at another property, taking a little time to prepare your home before you leave can give you real peace of mind. It’s especially worthwhile during periods of hot weather, when heatwaves can increase the risk of fire alongside the usual concerns of leaving a property unattended.

Drawing on his experience helping clients through claims, Mike, one of our Claims Specialists, shares ten practical steps to help protect your home and ensure your insurance still reflects your needs before you travel.

1. Consider fire risks around your home and garden

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, the risk of fire increases during periods of hot weather. Whether you live in the countryside or in a built-up area, a few simple precautions can help protect your property.

Before you leave:

Keep grass short and remove dry garden waste where possible
Unplug non-essential electrical appliances
Store flammable materials, such as fuel and fertilisers, safely
Move mirrors, crystal ornaments and other reflective objects away from windows, as they can focus sunlight onto flammable materials
Test your smoke alarms to make sure they’re working correctly

2. Check your security arrangements

Test your alarm, CCTV, security lighting, and smart home monitoring systems before you leave to make sure everything is working.

If your insurer requires an approved alarm or safe, make sure these are in use while you’re away, and that anyone checking your property knows how to operate them.

If you use smart lighting, consider setting lights to come on at different times during the evening. Many systems can be controlled remotely, helping your home appear occupied while you’re away.

3. Make your home look occupied

Take a moment to think about what someone passing your property can see.

Avoid leaving high-value items visible through windows and store spare keys well away from doors or windows. If you have a keyless vehicle, keep your keys in a signal-blocking pouch or place them inside an unplugged microwave.

Break down and dispose of packaging from new TVs, computers or other valuable purchases, rather than leaving them outside your home.

If you’re active on social media, be cautious about sharing your travel plans, and consider waiting until you return before sharing holiday photos.

Finally, remember to cancel regular deliveries, such as food subscriptions, or ask someone to move them while you’re away.

4. Help prevent damage to your home

If you’re going away for a while, consider turning off the mains water supply before you leave. If you own a larger property or have a more complex heating system, speak to your property manager or maintenance contractor about the most appropriate approach.

Before you lock up, take one final walk around your home. Check that windows and doors are secure, and non-essential electrical appliances are switched off.

Mike's top tip

“Most claims we see after holidays aren’t caused by major disasters. They’re often small issues that weren’t spotted quickly enough. Asking someone you trust to check your property every few days can make a significant difference.”

5. Ask someone you trust to check your home

Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or house manager to visit your property while you’re away.

Regular visits can identify leaks, storm damage or signs of attempted entry before they become more serious. Combined with security lighting or smart home systems, they also help ensure your home continues to look occupied.

6. Renovating while you're away?

If building work is underway, or contractors will continue working while you’re on holiday, let your insurer know if you haven’t already.

Even relatively modest renovation projects can affect your insurance, so it’s always worth checking before work begins.

You may also find our guide on Insuring Your Home During Renovations helpful.

7. Travelling with valuable possessions?

If you’re taking jewellery, watches, cameras or other valuable possessions away with you, don’t assume they’re automatically covered outside the home.

Check that your policy provides the level of cover you need, and that your valuations are up to date .

If you’re leaving valuables behind, store them in line with your insurer’s security requirements, such as in an approved safe where appropriate.

8. Keep an eye on the forecast

Summer weather can change quickly. Extended periods of hot, dry weather are often followed by heavy downpours or thunderstorms, which can increase the risk of localised flooding and storm damage.

Before you travel, check the forecast for your area and, if severe weather is expected, take a few simple precautions. Secure outdoor furniture, store parasols away, and make sure gates, sheds and other outbuildings are properly fastened.

If someone is checking your home while you’re away, ask them to keep an eye on any weather warnings and inspect your property after severe weather where possible.

9. Check your travel insurance

Before you travel, make sure your travel insurance reflects your plans.

If your destination, trip duration or the value of the belongings you’re taking has changed since you last travelled, it’s worth reviewing your policy before you leave. If you’re unsure what’s covered, we’re always happy to help.

10. Give your insurance a final check

Before you head away, ask yourself:

Have the rebuild costs of your home changed?
Are your contents still insured for the right amount?
Have you purchased any significant new items?

A quick review now can help avoid complications if you ever need to make a claim.

Enjoy your holiday with confidence

Preparing your home before you travel doesn’t take long, but a little planning can make a real difference if the unexpected happens.

If you’re planning a summer getaway and have any questions about your cover, speak to your dedicated Lumley account handler before you travel. Whether you’ve made changes to your home, purchased something new or simply want reassurance that everything is in place, we’re here to help.

Get in touch

If you’d like advice on protecting your home while you’re away, or want to make sure your insurance still meets your needs, please contact your Lumley Client Account Handler or get in touch via our contact page.