Leaving Fort McMurray for a vacation — whether it is a week in Mexico, a road trip through BC, or a visit to family down south — should feel relaxing, not stressful. But for many homeowners, the anxiety of leaving a home unattended lingers throughout the trip. As a certified Journeyman Locksmith who has helped Fort McMurray homeowners secure their properties for years, here is what actually makes a difference when you are away.
Fort McMurray Locksmith is a proud member of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, serving this community for over two generations.
Before You Leave — The Lock Checklist
Before anything else, do a complete walkthrough of your home and confirm:
- All exterior doors are locked — front, back, garage entry, and any side doors
- All ground floor windows are locked and closed
- Sliding doors have a security bar or pin in the track
- The garage door is closed and the opener is secured
- Any shed or detached garage with tools or valuables is locked
This sounds obvious but a surprising number of break-ins during vacations happen through unlocked doors and windows. A quick 5-minute walkthrough before leaving catches most issues.
1. Do Not Leave Spare Keys Outside
The fake rock, the door mat, above the door frame — anyone who has watched a crime show knows these spots. Leaving a physical spare key outside your home while you are away for a week or more is a significant security risk.
If you need to give access to a house sitter, pet sitter, or neighbour — give them the key directly before you leave. Better yet, install a smart lock or electronic keypad that allows you to set a temporary access code. The code can be changed or deleted when they no longer need access, with no key to recover.
2. Use Timed or Smart Lighting
A dark house for a week is a signal. Timed interior lights — lamps in living areas, bedroom lights on in the evenings — create the impression that someone is home. Smart bulbs go further, allowing you to control lights from your phone no matter where you are.
In Fort McMurray’s long winter evenings, exterior motion-activated lights are also worth having. They draw attention to anyone approaching the property and are more energy efficient than always-on lights.
3. Keep Curtains and Blinds as Normal
The instinct is to close everything before leaving — but if your blinds are normally open during the day, having them closed for a week signals an empty house. Keep curtains and blinds in their normal position, or ask your house sitter to adjust them as they would naturally.
Do remove any high-value items from visibility through windows — laptops, cameras, jewellery, purses — before leaving. These are targets of opportunity and removing them costs nothing.
4. Have a Plan for Your House Sitter
If someone is checking on your home while you are away — watering plants, collecting mail, checking on a pet — make sure they have everything they need before you go:
- A working key or access code — not hidden outside
- Instructions for your alarm system if you have one
- Your contact information and a backup contact
- Fort McMurray Locksmith’s number — 780-588-5383 — in case they get locked out
A house sitter locked out of your home is a stressful situation for everyone. Having our number saved means they can get back in quickly without breaking anything or disturbing neighbours.
5. Pause Mail and Deliveries
A pile of flyers, mail, and undelivered packages on a front step is one of the clearest signals that nobody is home. Before leaving:
- Put Canada Post delivery on hold or ask a neighbour to collect it
- Pause any regular deliveries — groceries, subscriptions, parcels
- Ask a trusted neighbour to watch for anything left at the door
6. Consider Upgrading Your Locks Before You Go
If you have been thinking about better locks, a smart lock, or an electronic keypad — before a vacation is a good time to do it. You leave with confidence in your hardware, and you can take advantage of remote access features while you are away.
Fort McMurray Locksmith installs smart locks, electronic keypads, and Grade 1 deadbolts for residential properties across Fort McMurray. See our residential locksmith services page for what we offer.
7. Do Not Announce Your Vacation on Social Media
This one is not about locks but it matters. Posting vacation photos in real time tells anyone following you — including people you may not know well — that your home is unoccupied. Save the vacation posts for when you are back. Your followers can see the highlights just as well after the fact.
When You Get Back — Change Locks if Necessary
If you gave a key to someone for the duration of your trip and you would prefer not to leave them with ongoing access — rekey your locks when you return. It is a quick and inexpensive service that restores full key control without replacing any hardware.
Also use your return as an opportunity to reassess your overall security. Is the hardware still in good shape? Are there any signs of attempted entry? Is it time to upgrade to a smart lock or better deadbolts? Fort McMurray Locksmith is available for a free assessment — call us and describe what you have and we will give you an honest recommendation.
Fort McMurray Locksmith — residential security services for Fort McMurray homeowners.
Call 780-588-5383 or Book a Locksmith in Fort McMurray.