Holiday Travel Safety Guide: How to Secure Your Home & RV This Christmas
The most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest time on the roads. Campgrounds from Florida to Arizona are bracing for a festive influx.
But with the excitement of packing gifts, planning routes, and prepping the rig comes a nagging worry for many travelers: Is my home safe while I’m gone? And is my RV secure enough for the journey?
Whether you are leaving your house behind to chase the sun in your motorhome, or just taking the travel trailer to visit family for the weekend, security should never be an afterthought. In this guide, we’ll break down expert strategies to secure both your "home on wheels" and your "home base," ensuring your only worry this Christmas is running out of eggnog.
Securing Your RV for Holiday Road Travel
Traveling by RV during Christmas is magical—but it also presents unique security challenges. RVs carry electronics, documents, tools, and gifts, making them attractive targets at rest stops, campgrounds, and parking lots. Proper RV security starts with three core areas: door protection, valuables storage, and daily parking habits.
1.Upgrade Your RV Door Locks
For many RV owners, the factory-installed door latch is the weak link in their security setup. If you are still using the standard keys that came with your rig, you might be more vulnerable than you think. Many factory-installed RV locks are basic mechanical locks that can be vulnerable to forced entry, lock picking, or key duplication.
Upgrading to a keyless RV door lock with features like PIN access, auto-locking, anti-pry design, and tamper alerts greatly improves real-world protection. Modern smart RV locks also eliminate the risk of lost keys during travel—a common holiday issue when multiple family members are coming and going.
Key benefits of high-security RV door locks:
- Stronger steel or zinc alloy construction
- Anti-drill and anti-pry protection
- Keypad + manual key dual access
- Auto-lock for forgetful moments
- Weather-resistant for winter travel
If you park your RV overnight at rest areas or unfamiliar campgrounds during Christmas trips, a reinforced RV door lock is essential.
2.Store Valuables Smartly Inside Your RV
Even with a high-quality RV entry lock, internal organization plays a major role in theft prevention. Avoid leaving high-value items plainly visible near windows or doors.
- Best practices for securing valuables in an RV:
- Store passports, cash, and jewelry in a hidden RV safe
- Lock laptops and cameras in interior storage compartments
- Use security cable locks for bikes, generators, or outdoor gear
- Avoid placing expensive electronics near windows
If intruders can’t see anything worth stealing, many won’t even attempt a break-in.
3.Practice Safe RV Parking Habits
Where and how you park matters just as much as what lock you use.
- Choose well-lit, populated campsites
- Avoid isolated overnight parking when possible
- Park your RV with the door facing light sources
- Use wheel locks or leveling jack locks for added immobilization
- Never leave the engine running while unattended during quick stops
Combining smart parking with professional-grade RV door locks creates layered security—something every experienced RV owner prioritizes.
Securing Your Home While You’re Away
If you are part of the millions hitting the road, you are likely leaving a stationary home behind. Holiday burglars often watch for dark houses, overflowing packages, and unshoveled driveways to identify empty homes.
Here’s how to prevent your home from becoming a target while you’re away for Christmas.
1.Secure All Doors and Windows
Before leaving, perform a full security walk-through:
Lock all front, back, and side doors
Close and lock all accessible windows
Secure basement and garage entry points( If you have an automatic garage door opener, unplug the motor or engage the "vacation lock" switch on the wall console. This prevents tech-savvy thieves from using a code-grabber to open the door.)
Reinforce sliding doors with security bars or anti-lift devices(Place a rod or wooden dowel in the track of sliding glass doors and ground-floor windows. This prevents them from being forced open even if the lock is picked.)
2.Manage Packages & Deliveries
Parcel theft skyrockets during the holidays. Empty porches and stacked boxes broadcast that no one is home.
Smart delivery strategies:
Pause deliveries while traveling(The USPS and most private carriers allow you to place a temporary "vacation hold" on mail and packages online.)
Ask a neighbor to collect packages
Use pickup lockers when possible
Install porch security boxes for flexible delivery
Even small packages can signal your absence to potential thieves.
3.Use Lights & Smart Home Automation
Dark homes attract unwanted attention. A simple timer or smart lighting system creates the illusion that someone is home.
4.Don’t Broadcast Travel Plans Online
It’s tempting to post Christmas travel updates in real time—but doing so tells strangers your home is empty. Always share travel photos after you return. Keep your location private until you’re safely home.
🏠 Home Security Checklist (Before You Leave)
[ ] Mail/News: Delivery hold confirmed or neighbor alerted.
[ ] Lights: Timers set for the living room and bedroom.
[ ] Locks: All windows, deadbolts, and gates secured.
[ ] Garage: Opener unplugged or locked; side door deadbolted.
[ ] Spare Keys: Removed from under mats/rocks.
[ ] Social Media: Do not post "We are leaving!" updates. Save the photos for when you get back.
🚐 RV Security Checklist (On the Road)
[ ] Door Lock: Batteries in your RV door lock replacement are fresh (cold weather drains batteries faster).
[ ] Hitch Lock: If you are towing a travel trailer, ensure your hitch lock is robust to prevent uncoupling theft at rest stops.
[ ] Bay Doors: Double-check that all storage compartments are locked—replace CH751 locks if possible.
Why Holiday Security Requires Extra Attention
Crime patterns show consistent spikes in:
Residential burglary
Parking lot break-ins
RV theft and forced entry
Thieves understand that families are distracted, homes are empty, and vehicles are loaded with gifts and electronics. That’s why RV lock upgrades, home door security, and automation are no longer optional—they’re essential holiday precautions.
Security works best when layered:
Strong locks + smart habits + visible deterrents = true protection.
This Christmas, don’t rely on luck to protect your home and RV. Whether you’re planning a cross-country RV trip or flying out to visit family, ONNAIS provides professional-grade security solutions designed for real-world travel.
From advanced RV door locks with keypad access and reinforced construction, to home entry locks built for durability and convenience, ONNAIS helps protect what matters most—wherever the holidays take you.
👉 Explore ONNAIS Security Essentials today and travel with confidence this Christmas.
