Italians on holiday and empty houses at risk of theft, trust in neighbors is not enough

In parallel, there is a growing digital awareness: over 6 out of 10 Italians voluntarily limit the sharing of content on social media during holidays to avoid reporting their absence from homehighlighting a new form of prudence aimed at protecting privacy and security against targeted intrusions. The adoption of technological solutions proceeds incrementally but not yet dominantly, with 14.3% of the sample identifying technology, between cameras, sensors and remote applications, as a priority response to the fear of theft. However, security cameras are already present in 35% of the homes analyzed, with a further 21.4% of those interviewed in the purchase evaluation phase.

From a technological point of view, the integration of home automation systems radically transforms the role of surveillance devices. The cameras, no longer intended exclusively as passive defense tools against intrusions, operate as versatile assistants for verifying environmental parameters, such as blackouts, water leaks or monitoring small domestic unexpected events.

As the evidence from the survey highlights, the technological goal is not obsessive surveillance, but enabling a timely response when needed. The transition towards greater adoption of smart lights, motion sensors and remote control apps suggests that the technology is poised to become an essential complement to the social network, capable of offering constant reassurance through transparent and non-invasive control of the property. The challenge, for the near future, lies in the ability of sector operators to make these systems increasingly accessible and intuitive, integrating trust in technological data with the already consolidated trust in human support.

Anker shares 6 tips for going on holiday with peace of mind

Carry out a preventive “absence test”.: observing the home from the outside a few days before departure allows you to identify telltale signs of inactivity, such as lowered shutters, off lighting or accumulated mail, allowing you to promptly correct these indicators.

Adopt a photo checklist: taking photos of doors, windows, appliances and gas systems before leaving provides immediate visual proof, eliminating the typical doubts when leaving regarding whether the devices have actually been closed or secured.

Simulate the residential presence: delegating the task of creating movement to a trusted person, not limiting themselves to collecting the mail but periodically opening windows, moving the curtains or changing the lighting, is essential to avoid the “house still” effect.

Plan safety activities: avoiding concentrating all checks at the last moment drastically reduces the risk of oversights; managing operations such as securing documents, disconnecting unnecessary devices and checking secondary fixtures in advance guarantees greater peace of mind.

Use the video camera as an operational assistant: in addition to the anti-intrusion function, the security cam can act as an assistant to manage daily situations, such as parcel delivery, checking the well-being of pets or managing small unexpected events.

Integrate technology for serenity, not for obsessive control: the goal of smart systems is to delegate active supervision; knowing that you can check the state of the home only in case of real need allows you to exploit technology as a discreet support, facilitating the psychological detachment necessary to enjoy your holiday.