Before locking the door and starting your holiday, a few simple checks can help protect your home from fire, water damage and other unexpected risks while you are away.

During summer, many European families leave their homes unattended for days or even weeks. An empty property needs a different level of preparation — especially when no one is there to notice problems immediately.

Here are the key safety checks to complete before you leave.

1. Test Your Smoke and CO Alarms

Before travelling, make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working properly.

Check:

• Alarm status and power
• Installation location
• Battery condition
• Whether alarms provide enough coverage

The European Fire Safety Alliance (EuroFSA) highlights that working smoke alarms provide essential early warning and can help improve fire safety in residential properties.

(Source: European Fire Safety Alliance – Residential Fire Safety Guidance)

For larger homes or multi-storey properties, interlinked alarms can provide wider awareness by allowing connected alarms to sound together when smoke is detected.

Related Blogs:

→Smoke vs Carbon Monoxide: Why They Require Different Detection Strategies

→Carbon Monoxide Detector Guide: Usage Tips & Safety Guide

2. Prevent Water Damage While You Are Away

Water leaks can become serious problems when nobody is at home.

Before leaving:

• Check taps and visible pipes
• Inspect areas around washing machines and boilers
• Consider water shut-off options for longer trips

Smart water leak detection can provide additional protection by alerting homeowners to unexpected leaks while they are away.

3. Reduce Electrical and Fire Risks

Before leaving your home:

• Unplug unnecessary devices
• Check chargers and cables
• Switch off cooking appliances
• Avoid overloaded sockets

Small electrical issues can become bigger problems when a property is empty.

4. Check Heating and Gas Safety

For homes using:

• Gas boilers
• Fireplaces
• Gas appliances

make sure everything is operating normally before departure.

Carbon monoxide is particularly important because it is invisible and cannot be detected without a suitable alarm.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies carbon monoxide exposure as an important indoor health risk due to its undetectable nature.

(Source: WHO – Carbon Monoxide Information)

5. Stay Connected With Smart Home Safety

Modern European homes are becoming more connected.

Instead of checking each device separately, homeowners are increasingly looking for complete safety solutions that combine:

• Smoke detection
• CO monitoring
• Water leak alerts
• Remote notifications

Connected home safety allows homeowners to stay informed even when they are travelling.

Holiday Home Safety Checklist

Before leaving, ask yourself:

✅ Are my smoke alarms working?
✅ Is my CO alarm active?
✅ Are water leak risks checked?
✅ Are unnecessary electrical devices switched off?
✅ Can I receive safety alerts remotely?

Taking a few minutes before departure to check your smoke alarms, CO protection and potential water risks can help create a safer home environment while you are away.

Whether you live in an apartment, family house or holiday property, preparation is one of the simplest ways to improve home safety.