Use the first earlier sunset as your annual security test
Autumn changes visibility, routines, vegetation, weather and how long a property appears unoccupied. Check the building, lighting, alarms and response before the darkest evenings arrive.
Season note: this is a global checklist. Autumn timing differs by hemisphere—approximately September to November in the UK, US, Canada and Ireland, and March to May in Australia. Use local sunset and weather patterns.
One-hour exterior check
- Walk every approach after sunset and identify glare, deep shadow and broken lights.
- Trim seasonal growth that conceals entrances or blocks cameras and sensors.
- Clear leaves and webs from camera lenses, lights, gates and outdoor detectors.
- Check side gates, shed doors, garage locks and ground anchors.
- Move bins, ladders and tools that provide climbing or forced-entry assistance.
- Confirm house numbers are visible to emergency responders in darkness.
- Test drainage and weather seals around outdoor equipment and cable entries.
Doors, windows and routines
| Check | Action |
|---|---|
| Earlier darkness | Use appropriate timers or automation to support genuine occupancy patterns; avoid an identical obvious schedule every day. |
| Open windows | Review ventilation habits as temperatures change and confirm accessible windows are secured when unattended. |
| Keys and parcels | Keep keys away from doors, glazing, letter openings and pet flaps; agree a secure delivery plan. |
| Garden equipment | Inventory and secure bicycles, tools, furniture and seasonal equipment before long nights. |
| Holiday or school routine | Update keyholders, alarm modes and neighbour arrangements without advertising absence publicly. |
Technology service
- Clean lenses and test camera footage at dusk, full darkness and in rain.
- Replace low batteries before cold weather reduces performance.
- Test sirens, contacts, motion detectors and communication backup.
- Check video timestamps after daylight-saving changes where applicable.
- Install supported firmware and app updates.
- Review cloud retention, subscriptions and shared users.
- Confirm that heating, lighting or router changes have not disrupted sensors.
Family and response plan
Agree how visitors are identified, who responds to an alert, where keys are stored, how children enter after dark, and how everyone exits during fire or power failure. Security should never block emergency escape.
Complete the annual review
Run the room-by-room assessment · Fix night vision · Test outage resilience · Review perimeter detection
Official references: Police.uk leaving-home checklist and NCSC smart-device guidance.
Last checked: 1 September 2026. Seasonal conditions and security advice vary by location.