Home Security & Smart Tech for Your Next Duty Station
Updated: Oct 5
Military families spend a lot of time apart. Deployments, TDYs and training mean one spouse is often home alone, or the house sits empty. As a military spouse for more than 30 years and an Arlington Associate Broker with 560+ transactions, I always tell families that good security starts with the basics, then adds technology where it helps.
Start with the basics on move-in day
Rekey or replace the locks. You don't know who has a key. Smart locks let you change codes anytime.
Check every door and window for working locks, and add a bar or dowel to sliding doors.
Light up the outside: motion lights at doors, the driveway and the backyard.
Trim shrubs near doors and windows, and put away ladders that could reach upper windows.
Get to know your neighbors. They're your best early warning system.
Smart tech that helps
Video doorbells and cameras let you see who's at the door from anywhere.
Smart locks let you give a temporary code to a dog walker or repair person.
Water leak and temperature sensors alert you before a small leak becomes a big repair, which matters most when you're away.
Smart plugs and timers make an empty house look lived in.
If you rent, choose wireless, renter-friendly devices you can take with you.
Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication for every device and app.
Is a monitored system right for you?
A professionally monitored system adds a response when you can't. Compare contract length, cancellation and transfer terms if you move often, and whether you can take the equipment with you. Ask your insurance company whether it offers a discount for a monitored system.
When you're away, or deployed
Hold or forward your mail with USPS Hold Mail, and stop package deliveries.
Put lights on timers and keep the yard mowed or the walks shoveled.
Ask a trusted neighbor to check the house, and give them your contact information.
Keep valuables out of sight from windows.
Tell your unit's family readiness contacts how to reach you if needed.
OPSEC at home
Information you share can make your family a target. Military OneSource advises not sharing departure or return dates, locations or details about the service member's unit. It also recommends:
Turning off geotagging and avoiding check-ins.
Setting social media accounts to private.
Waiting to post vacation and moving photos until you're home.
Being careful about what you say in everyday conversations, too.
For emergencies, the American Red Cross Hero Care Center can help reach a service member's command. Call 1-877-272-7337.
A seasonal safety check
Twice a year, when the clocks change, is an easy time to:
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The NFPA has guidance on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide.
Check fire extinguishers and make sure everyone knows where they are.
Practice your escape plan with two ways out of each room and a meeting spot outside.
Look for overloaded outlets and frayed cords.
Restock the first aid kit.
Review your homeowners or renters insurance and update emergency contacts.
Build an emergency kit
Many military families have had to evacuate for a hurricane, wildfire or winter storm. Ready.gov recommends:
Water: one gallon per person per day for several days.
Food: a several-day supply of non-perishable food and a manual can opener.
Light and power: a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and phone chargers.
Health: a first aid kit, medications and copies of prescriptions.
Documents: copies of IDs, orders, insurance and medical records in a waterproof bag.
Add cash, pet supplies, diapers or formula, and comfort items for kids. If you have to evacuate, leaving early is often easier than fighting traffic.
For buyers
Security features are worth a look on every tour: solid exterior doors, good lighting, fenced yards, and how the street feels at night. My guide on what to look for when house hunting covers more.
In Northern Virginia
Winter storms and summer power outages are the most common emergencies here. Keep a kit ready, and sign up for your county's emergency alerts. If you're moving here, my PCS to Northern Virginia guide is the place to start.
Sources: Military OneSource; American Red Cross Hero Care Network; Ready.gov; NFPA smoke alarms; NFPA carbon monoxide; USPS Hold Mail.
Last reviewed: October 2026
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