How To Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

It's time for your vacation. Your bags are packed, your itinerary is set, and you're ready to unplug. But somewhere between locking the front door and pulling out of the driveway, the thought creeps in: Will everything be okay at home while I'm away?

You're not alone. According to a national survey commissioned by Ring, 70% of Americans say the hardest part of vacation isn't missing work. It's the stress of what's happening back home¹ and those worries actively affect their ability to relax¹.

The good news? Incorporating a few simple steps before you leave (and the right tools while you're gone) can help you enjoy your trip without worrying about what's happening at home.

What Are the Biggest Home Security Concerns While on Vacation?

Quick Answer: Home security (49%), pet care (49%), and family or loved ones needing support (43%) are the top concerns Americans have while away on vacation¹.

For most people, the anxiety doesn't wait until you land. In a survey conducted by Ring, over half of the respondents (52%) said their concerns kick in either as soon as they leave their property or while they're still traveling¹. And over a quarter (27%) reported those worries have a significant impact on their ability to relax¹.

Package deliveries are also top of mind, with 41% of vacation-goers citing them as a concern¹. If package theft is a concern for you, read our 2026 Package Theft Prevention Guide for tips that can help prevent package theft whether you're home or away.

These concerns are real, they're common, and they're worth addressing before you leave.

What Should You Do Before Leaving Home for Vacation?

Quick Answer: Before you leave for your vacation, set your Ring devices to Away Mode, enable Motion Alerts, and let a trusted neighbor know you'll be gone, so they can help out around your house if needed.

A little prep goes a long way. Here's a quick checklist to run through before you head out:

Switch to Away Mode. In the Ring App, set your devices to Away Mode so all your cameras are recording and Motion Alerts are active. This ensures nothing goes unnoticed while you're gone.

Confirm your wifi is stable. Your devices rely on a strong internet connection to send alerts and stream Live View. Do a quick check before you leave to make sure everything is connected and working.

Enable Snapshot Capture. Turn on Snapshot Capture² so your cameras take periodic photos throughout the day. This gives you a quick visual check-in without needing to open a full Live View session.

Pause or redirect package deliveries. If you're expecting deliveries while you're away, consider holding them at a pickup location. Packages sitting on a porch for days signal that nobody's home.

Let a trusted neighbor know. A neighbor who knows you're away can keep an eye out for anything unusual and grab any packages that slip through.

Test your devices. Do a quick Live View check on each camera before you leave to confirm angles, connectivity, and night vision are all working as expected.

How Can You Keep an Eye on Your Home While You're Away?

Quick Answer: Use Live View to check in on your home in real time, review motion alerts as they come in, and use Snapshot Capture² for periodic visual updates throughout the day.

Once you're on vacation, your Ring devices become your eyes and ears at home. Here's how to stay connected without obsessing over your phone:

Check Live View when you want peace of mind. Open the Ring App and tap into any camera for a real-time look at your home. Front door, backyard, living room. One glance and you know everything's fine.

Let Motion Alerts come to you. Instead of constantly checking in, let your devices do the work. You'll get a notification anytime motion is detected in your zones, so you only look when something actually happens.

Review Snapshot Capture² for a quick visual summary. Snapshots give you periodic photos without triggering a full event. It's the fastest way to confirm everything looks normal.

Use Two-Way Talk if someone approaches. If a delivery driver, neighbor, or unexpected visitor triggers an alert, you can speak to them directly through your device. They don't need to know you're 2,000 miles away.

Share access with someone you trust. Add a Shared User in the Ring App, so a family member or neighbor can also monitor your devices and respond to alerts while you're gone.

Which Ring Devices Can Help Protect Your Home While You're on Vacation?

Quick Answer: A combination of Ring Video Doorbells, outdoor cameras, and indoor cameras lets you stay connected to every part of your home while you're away, so you can relax knowing nothing goes unnoticed.

Vacation should feel like vacation. Not like a constant mental checklist of "Did I lock the door, is someone on the porch, are the pets okay? " The right Ring setup lets you put those worries down and actually enjoy your time away.

Here's how to stay connected to home without being tethered to it:

Know who's at your door, even from miles away. Your front door is the first place someone checks to see if you're home. With a Ring Video Doorbell, you'll see every visitor, delivery driver, and unexpected approach in Retinal 4K or 2K video³ with Head-to-Toe coverage. Two-Way Talk lets you respond in real time, so it always sounds like someone's home, even when you're poolside.

Keep your property's perimeter covered day and night. Whether it's the side gate, the backyard, or the driveway, Ring Spotlight Cam Pro and Floodlight Cam Pro give you full visibility with Retinal 4K video³, up to 10x Enhanced Zoom, and 3D Motion Detection. Motion-activated lights deter unwanted activity before it starts, and Audio+ with Two-Way Talk means you can hear and respond to anything happening outside your home instantly.

Check in on pets, valuables, and every room from anywhere. Missing your dog? Want to make sure everything inside looks normal? Ring Indoor Cam Plus and Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam give you eyes on every interior space. Pan-Tilt rotates 360 degrees, so you can scan an entire room from your phone without needing multiple devices. It's peace of mind that fits in your pocket.

The best part? All of these devices work together in the Ring App, so you get one unified view of your entire home, no matter where your vacation takes you.

What Should You Do if You Get an Alert While on Vacation?

Quick Answer: Review the alert immediately, use Live View to assess the situation, communicate through Two-Way Talk if needed, and contact a neighbor or local authorities if something looks wrong.

Getting a motion alert while you're on vacation can spike your heart rate. Here's how to handle it calmly:

Open the alert and review the clip. Most alerts will be routine: a delivery driver, a neighbor walking by, an animal crossing your yard. Watch the clip first so you have the full picture of what's happening.

Tap into Live View for real-time context. If the clip isn't clear enough, open Live View to see what's happening right now.

Use Two-Way Talk to respond. If someone is at your door or on your property, speak to them directly. Often, just hearing a voice is enough to send someone on their way.

Reach out to a trusted neighbor. If something looks off but isn't an emergency, ask your neighbor to take a look.

Call local authorities if needed. If you see something that requires immediate attention, call your local non-emergency line or 911. If you have Ring Protect Pro with Professional Monitoring⁴, your system can also request emergency dispatch automatically when your alarm is triggered.

Save and share the clip. With a Ring Protect subscription⁵, you can save the recording and share it with neighbors via the Neighbors App or with local law enforcement if needed.

Home Security While on Vacation: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I make my home look occupied while I'm away?
A: Use smart lighting on randomized schedules, ask a neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally, pause mail and package deliveries, and keep your lawn maintained. Your Ring devices can also help. Two-Way Talk lets you respond to visitors as if you're home, and motion-activated lights turn on when someone approaches.

Q: Should I post about my vacation on social media?
A: It's best to wait until you're home. Posting real-time vacation updates signals to anyone watching that your house is empty. Share the photos when you get back.

Q: Can I monitor my Ring devices from another country?
A: Yes. The Ring App works anywhere you have an internet connection. You can view Live View, receive motion alerts, review recordings, and use Two-Way Talk from anywhere in the world.

Q: What happens if my wifi goes out while I'm away?
A: If your internet drops, your Ring devices won't be able to send alerts or stream video until the connection is restored. If you have Ring Alarm Pro, 24/7 Backup Internet⁶ keeps your system connected even during an outage.

Q: How can I protect packages while I'm on vacation?
A: Hold deliveries at a pickup location, ask a neighbor to collect them, or set up Package Alerts⁷ so you're notified the moment something arrives. For a full breakdown of strategies, check out our 2026 Package Theft Prevention Guide.

Q: Do I need a subscription to use my Ring devices while on vacation?
A: You can use Live View, receive motion alerts, and use Two-Way Talk without a subscription. However, video recording, Snapshot Capture, and Package Detection require a compatible Ring Protect subscription⁵.

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Ring subscription features and services may vary by country. Not all features available in the United States will be available in every region.

^{1. Source: National survey commissioned by Ring, surveying over 2,000 Americans about travel anxieties (2025).}

^{2. Compatible Ring subscription required. Snapshot Capture photos in the cloud can be stored up to 14 days. Storage options vary based on plan.}

^{3. Compatible Ring subscription required.}

^{4. Compatible Ring subscription required. Service available in all 50 U.S. states (territories not included) and in Canada (excluding Quebec). Ring does not own its monitoring center. Additional fees may be required for permits, false alarms, or Alarm Verified Guard Response, depending on your local jurisdiction.}

^{5. Compatible Ring subscription required. Your Ring motion event videos in the cloud are stored, up to 180 days from recording. Modifying your video storage duration affects only recordings created after the change is applied.}

^{6. Compatible Ring subscription required. Extra data charges may apply.}

^{7. Compatible Ring subscription required. Available for select Ring video doorbells and/or cameras.}