Heading off on vacation should be relaxing—but if you’re constantly worrying about what’s happening back at home, it’s hard to unwind. Is the front door locked? What if there’s a break-in? Could a small leak turn into a flooded basement?
Thanks to smart home technology, you don’t have to rely on neighbours or crossed fingers to keep your home safe while you’re away. With the right setup, you can monitor your property in real-time, receive alerts about unusual activity, and even respond remotely using your smartphone.
From smart security cameras to motion-activated lighting and environmental sensors, there’s a wide range of smart devices that let you keep tabs on your property anytime, from anywhere. In this guide, we’ll explore the top smart tech solutions that help you stay connected to your home while you travel—so you can focus on making memories, not managing mishaps.
Why remote home monitoring matters
When you’re away for an extended period, your home becomes more vulnerable. Empty homes are easy targets for intruders, especially if it’s obvious that no one is around. Even beyond the risk of theft, issues like water damage, fire, or HVAC failure can happen at any time—and escalate quickly if unnoticed.
According to Statistics Canada, break-ins increase during holiday periods when homes are left unattended. Add to that the rising costs of home repairs due to water leaks and electrical issues, and it becomes clear why homeowners are turning to smart tech.
Remote monitoring gives you control, visibility, and peace of mind. With the right tools, you can check in at any time, see who’s at your door, detect hazards early, and even create the illusion that someone’s home—all from wherever you happen to be. On top of that, smart home monitoring lets you check in on pets and deliveries when you’re away for a few hours instead of a few days.
Essential smart devices for home monitoring
Creating a secure smart home system involves more than installing a single camera. It’s about integrating multiple devices that each serve a specific purpose: security, access control, environmental awareness, and automation.
1. Keep eyes on your space with smart security cameras
A smart camera setup forms the backbone of any home monitoring system. Smart security cameras let you stream live footage, review motion-triggered clips, and receive instant alerts. Whether placed indoors or outdoors, these cameras offer features like HD resolution, night vision, motion detection, and two-way audio for real-time communication.
If you prefer a simple, hassle-free setup, wire-free security cameras are a great option. They operate on batteries or solar power, eliminating the need for complex wiring—perfect for renters or frequent movers.
For comprehensive coverage, consider security camera packages. These bundles include multiple cameras and often come with a central hub or DVR system, making it easier to manage and store video footage across different zones of your home.
2. Control access with smart door locks
Smart door locks add an additional layer of control while you’re away. Instead of leaving spare keys with neighbours or hiding them under the doormat, you can grant and revoke access digitally. Many models let you lock and unlock doors from your phone, receive logs of who enters and exits, and set up custom PIN codes for different users. With a smart lock, it’s easy to revoke access when someone leaves.
Smart home tools are especially useful for letting in dog walkers, cleaners, or house sitters without physically being there. When paired with a doorbell camera, you can also verify who’s at the door before granting access. Just make sure that all of the smart devices in your home (right down to your lightbulbs) are set up properly so they don’t create weak points for a potential break-in!
3. Mimic your daily routine with smart lighting
Burglars often scope out neighbourhoods looking for signs that homes are empty—like lights that never turn on or blinds that stay closed all day. Smart lighting helps you avoid these red flags.
By scheduling lights to turn on and off at specific times, or controlling them remotely, you can simulate normal household activity. Want to take it a step further? Use motion sensors to trigger lights when movement is detected in entryways or halls.
Smart plugs also let you automate lamps, TVs, or even sound systems to add another layer of realism. A radio playing for a few hours in the evening or a TV show running in the bedroom, for example, can create the impression that someone’s home.
4. Detect problems early with environmental sensors
Not every crisis at home is a break-in. Some of the biggest home disasters start small—and go unnoticed until it’s too late. That’s where smart environmental sensors come in.
Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors alert you in real time if smoke or dangerous CO levels are detected, no matter where you are. This early warning can make all the difference in preventing injury or damage. Smart safety sensors are useful for monitoring your home while you’re travelling, but they’re also a great way to ensure your home is safe to be in while you’re in town. They can detect otherwise undetectable gasses like radon and carbon monoxide, which are invisible and odourless.
Water leak detectors are just as critical, especially if you’re travelling during the winter. These affordable sensors can be placed under sinks, near water heaters, or in basements to detect leaks or flooding the moment they happen so you can call a friend, neighbour, or plumber to come check things out. Some models even connect to smart shut-off valves that automatically stop water flow to minimize damage. (Tip: One of the highest-risk spots in the home for a water leak to occur is in the line between your kitchen sink and your dishwasher. That’s a great place to permanently install a water leak detector!)
Want full climate control? Temperature and humidity sensors allow you to monitor conditions in real-time, helping prevent mould, frozen pipes, or overheating appliances.
5. Keep your climate in check with a smart thermostat
Smart thermostats let you adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere. Whether you’re escaping a Canadian winter or jetting off during a summer heatwave, you can set eco-friendly schedules or tweak settings on the fly if the weather changes unexpectedly.
Some models use geofencing to automatically shift to energy-saving modes when you leave home and return to comfort settings when you’re back. Others can notify you if indoor temps drop dangerously low—especially important if you want to prevent burst pipes or frozen plants.
How to set up your smart home before you travel
To make sure everything runs smoothly while you’re away, take time to prep your system in advance. Here’s how:
- Connect all devices to your home Wi-Fi. Ensure they’re properly synced and paired with the correct app.
- Download and test the mobile apps. Confirm that you can view live feeds, receive alerts, and control settings from your phone.
- Enable notifications. Make sure alerts are set up for motion, entry, smoke, or leaks—based on your specific devices.
- Test everything. Walk through your home, triggering sensors or motion alerts to verify that notifications are working.
- Update firmware and apps. This helps patch vulnerabilities and improve functionality. Always stay on top of your firmware updates to help keep your home secure.
- Check your router’s coverage. Use a Wi-Fi extender to expand coverage if needed, especially for cameras placed outside or in basements.
In areas with unreliable power grids or extreme weather, you might even consider a power backup (like an uninterruptible power supply) for critical devices to stay connected during outages.
A few more tips for travel-ready security
Smart tech offers a solid foundation, but old-fashioned precautions still matter. Before you leave:
- Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to check on your home periodically.
- Pause your mail and deliveries through Canada Post or your courier service to avoid pile-ups.
- Avoid posting your travel plans or real-time updates on social media. Wait until you’re back to share your memories.
- Use curtains or blinds strategically. Leave some open to make the house appear occupied, but keep valuables out of sight.
- Secure your garage and shed. These areas often house tools or bikes and are common entry points for thieves.
Combining smart devices with thoughtful preparation gives you the best of both worlds. Smart devices can keep an eye on your home better than any human can, but for the most part, they can’t intervene. Make sure that you still have someone you can call for an in-the-moment crisis like a pipe breaking or a window being left open by mistake.
Peace of mind from anywhere
Smart home monitoring transforms the way you protect your property. Whether you’re getting a water leak alert during a weekend road trip or checking on the nanny while at work, the control is in your hands. By investing in smart thermostats, environmental sensors, and wire-free cameras, you’re not just securing your home—you’re freeing yourself to live confidently and focus on what matters.
Explore the wide selection of smart home products at Best Buy Canada and build your perfect remote monitoring setup today.
This article was drafted using AI technology and then reviewed, fact-checked, and revised by a member of our editorial team.
