(BPT) – With spring and summer come more opportunities for vacations and road trips — but these getaways can leave your home vulnerable to unwanted visitors and unattended packages. Before heading out for fun in the sun, take a few steps to secure both your home and your deliveries, so you can fully relax and enjoy your trip. Here are some tips to help increase your peace of mind while you’re away from home.
Stay connected to your home, no matter where you go
The Ring Battery Doorbell keeps you informed about who’s at the door, allowing you to stay close to what matters most, from anywhere. Whether you’re traveling abroad or spending a week in the city next door, this doorbell offers Live View and Two-Way Talk, so you can see, hear, and speak to anyone at your front door in real time. This added security helps deter unwanted visitors and keeps you in control, even when you’re miles away.
Inform neighbors you can trust
One of the best ways to protect your home is by asking neighbors you trust to keep an eye on things while you’re away. By informing reliable neighbors, you add an extra layer of vigilance to your home’s security. Having someone nearby can give you peace of mind and a sense of security knowing your home is being watched over.
Opt for In-Garage Delivery
A convenient, secure strategy for package and grocery deliveries is Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery. Whether you’re away from home for a few hours or a few weeks, this service helps you protect packages from loss or weather damage. It’s compatible with the majority of garage door technologies and exclusive for Amazon Prime members.
How it works: Once you set up your smart garage, place an order as you normally would on Amazon.com and select Key Delivery at checkout. On delivery day, your package is the key that opens your garage door. When a driver scans your package for your address, they get one-time, verified access to make the delivery inside your garage. No codes or physical keys required. You can also add a camera to watch deliveries and receive real-time notifications for additional peace of mind. It’s that simple.
Don’t announce your trip on social media
While it may be tempting to share vacation photos online, broadcasting that you’re away from your home for an extended period can make your property a target. Keep your travel plans private, and save your vacation pics for after you return home. The fewer people who know you’re away, the better protected your home will be from unwanted visitors.
Set up motion alerts to stay informed about deliveries and front porch activity
Another way to protect your home is by keeping an eye on all your deliveries in real-time, with Ring motion alerts. Set up motion notifications for your Ring camera, and you’ll stay informed when activity occurs on your front porch. You can review Motion Alerts sent to your smart home security devices, either in Live View or in the Event History, to monitor any activity around your home. With Ring, you can modify your Motion Alerts to distinguish between people and other motion using Smart Alerts (Ring Home plan required).
Additionally, Package Alerts[1] are available on select Ring Video Doorbells. They can alert you when there’s a package in designated areas around your device (Ring Home subscription required). And if you catch suspicious activity on your Ring Video Doorbell, you can act fast with Two-Way Talk to ward off unwanted visitors using the Ring app on your mobile device or tablet.
However, if you’re sensitive to notifications, you can enable 24/7 Recording (Ring Home Premium subscription required), allowing your eligible cameras to continuously record, ensuring you never miss a moment. Using AI, Smart Video Search can help you find specific activity or objects, such as packages, that may have been delivered. (A compatible Ring subscription is required. For customers in Illinois & Texas: Smart Video Search is not available on Ring devices due to specific state legislation.)
Upgrade your home security
Smart home security adds peace of mind while you’re away. With easy-to-install DIY systems like Ring Alarm, you can customize security settings based on your needs. For just $10 a month, you can add Alarm Professional Monitoring[2] to your Ring Home subscription for additional peace of mind. If the system detects an issue, emergency responders will be dispatched in real-time.
You can also integrate your Ring Alarm with other Ring devices, like doorbells and cameras, triggering them if your alarm is set off. This added coordination between devices makes it harder for unwanted visitors to sneak past your defenses.
No matter where you’re going or how long you’ll be away, you can use these strategies to help you feel confident that your packages and home are safe and protected. By staying proactive, deterring unwanted visitors, and securing your deliveries, you can fully enjoy your time away. Visit Amazon.com/TryAmazonKey and Ring.com to learn more about home security options before your next vacay.
[1] Compatible subscription required, sold separately. Package Alerts available for select Ring video doorbells and/or cameras. Package Alerts work best with medium-to-large shipping boxes. Envelopes, tubes, small boxes, and food deliveries may not be detected. Make sure you have Motion Detection enabled in the Ring app. Learn more here.
[2] Professional Monitoring is an add-on plan that first requires a compatible Ring subscription. Both sold separately. Service available within the U.S. (all 50 states, but not U.S. territories) and in Canada (excluding Quebec). Ring does not own its monitoring center. Smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring is not available for business or commercially zoned addresses. See Ring Alarm licenses at: ring.com/licenses. Additional fees may be required for permits, false alarms, or Alarm Verified Guard Response, depending on your local jurisdiction.