Quick answer:
- Make the home look lived-in — lights, mail, and a watchful neighbor.
- Lock and reinforce every entry, including the back and patio doors.
- Don’t hide a spare key — use a keypad or leave one with someone you trust.
Make It Look Lived-In
An empty-looking home is the target; a lived-in one gets skipped (more on the mindset in how burglars choose targets). Before you go: put a couple of lights on timers, pause mail and package delivery (or have a neighbor collect them), arrange for the lawn to be tended on a long trip, and ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye out and park in your driveway occasionally.
Lock Down Every Entry
Walk every door and window and actually lock them — including the door from the garage and the sliding patio door. Make sure exterior doors have a working Grade 1 deadbolt with a reinforced strike. If any lock is sticky or a door doesn’t latch cleanly, fix it before you leave, not after.
Rethink the Spare Key
A hidden key under the mat or a rock is the first place anyone looks — and you don’t want it sitting there for two weeks. Better options: a keypad/smart lock so a house-sitter gets a temporary code (that you delete when you’re back), or leaving a physical spare with a trusted neighbor or family member. If you’ve lent out keys in the past and aren’t sure who has copies, a quick rekey before a long trip is cheap peace of mind.
A Smart Lock Earns Its Keep on Trips
If you travel often, a Wi-Fi smart lock lets you check the door is locked from the airport and grant access to a pet-sitter remotely — see are keypad locks safe? Want any of this handled before your trip? We do pre-vacation lock checks and upgrades as part of our residential locksmith service. Call (505) 818-0720.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the single best thing to do before a trip?
Make the home look occupied (lights on timers, mail handled, a watchful neighbor) and confirm every entry — including back and patio doors — actually locks with solid hardware.
Should I rekey before a long vacation?
If you’re unsure who has copies of your keys, yes — it’s inexpensive and ensures no old key works while you’re away. A keypad lock also lets you avoid handing out physical keys.
Can you upgrade my locks before I leave?
Yes. We can install deadbolts, secure sliding doors, set up a smart lock, or rekey — ideally a few days before you go so everything’s tested and ready.
Need a locksmith in Albuquerque? Call Just In Time Locksmith at (505) 818-0720 for fast, local, upfront-priced service — or request service online. 24/7 across the metro.