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Coming home to a cool breeze wafting through the windows may feel pleasant, but is it worth the risk of leaving the windows open while you’re not home? Nobody wants to walk into a hot, musty-smelling house, but finding a puddle of water—or seeing your home was broken into—is even worse. If you live in the city, leaving windows open on upper floors may seem harmless, especially on a busy street where a break-in could easily be stopped. If you live in a rural area, you may feel you have nothing to worry about if you leave a window cracked while you’re out for the day.
To get professional insight on the subject, we asked a home care expert to share his thoughts on whether it’s a good idea to keep windows open when you’re not home, what risks it poses, and the security measures you can take to protect your home if you do decide to keep a window cracked.
Aldo Ceja is a home care expert at Thumbtack, a home services website.
Kaitlin Green; Interior Designer: Emily Henderson
Should You Leave Your Windows Open When You’re Away?
“It might feel nice to let fresh air in, but leaving your windows open when you’re not home usually isn’t a great idea,” says Aldo Ceja, home care expert at Thumbtack. While a beautifully aired-out home is lovely to come home to, break-ins and weather-related damage are not. Whether you live in the city or out in the country, leaving your windows open while you’re away comes with more risks than you think.
Reasons You Shouldn’t Leave Your Windows Open
1. Security Risk
The primary concern about leaving your windows open when you’re not home is the security risk it poses. “Open windows can make it easy for someone to break in, especially on the ground floor,” Ceja says. Whether it’s during the day or at night, open windows provide an easy way for someone to enter your home. This is certainly true for ground-floor windows, but even higher-up windows can be a target if they are near a fire escape or tall trees.
If you’ve invested in a home security system with window sensors, keeping windows open while you’re out lowers their effectiveness. “Window sensors are great to notify you when a window is opened, but leaving the window open minimizes its safety features,” Ceja says.
2. Unpredictable Weather Conditions
“There’s also the weather to think about; Rain or strong wind can sneak in and cause damage before you even realize it,” Ceja notes. It may be cool and breezy when you leave for work in the morning, but unexpected weather, such as rain or hail, can bring moisture inside and damage areas near open windows.
3. Access for Pests
Leaving windows open when you’re out can also invite unwanted pests into your home. “Let’s not forget about bugs or critters that might take the opportunity to explore your space,” he says. If you don’t have screens on your windows, you’re inviting mosquitoes, flies, spiders, and other critters.
4. Pet Safety Concern
If you have pets in the home, leaving your windows open when you’re away can pose a safety risk. Pets can jump on a windowsill and either fall or jump, potentially being hurt or lost, especially if your windows don’t have screens. If bugs, birds, or other critters come in through the open windows, they can bother pets inside the home.
Werner Straube Photography
Security Measures to Take if You Leave Your Windows Open
While Ceja advises keeping windows closed when you’re not home, he offers a couple of security measures you can take if you want to keep a window cracked while you’re out.
1. Stick to Upper Floors
“If you must leave windows open, make sure they’re only upper-floor windows to limit accessibility, which will prevent an easy break-in while you are away,” Ceja says. Avoid leaving any ground-floor windows or those that can be easily accessed through a balcony, an attached pergola, a fire escape, or a tree branch open.
2. Use Window Stops
Ceja says another security measure you can take, if you want to leave your windows open while you’re out, is to install window stops. Typically made of the same material as your window frame—wood or plastic—window stops limit how much the window can open. They are a good protective measure, plus they are inexpensive and easy to install.
3. Install Window Bars or Security Screens
“For a more permanent solution, consider installing window bars or security screens to provide ventilation without compromising safety,” Ceja says. Constructed from heavy-duty metal, window bars are an excellent theft deterrent, as they make a property look more secure and physically prevent break-ins. Security screens are similar to regular window screens but are designed to enhance your windows’ safety. The screens are made of strong materials such as stainless steel, and their woven construction allows fresh air to enter while preventing open access.
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