If you are away from your home for an extended period of time, remember these simple security tips before you leave.
- Be careful who you tell when you plan to be away from your home. Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home.
- Maintain your lawn before you leave or have someone mow your lawn while you are gone.
- Do not let deliveries accumulate. Have a neighbor pick up mail, newspapers and packages daily. If that is not possible, then stop deliveries so they do not pile up.
- Ask a neighbor to use your garbage cans. An empty garbage can is a tip-off that you are away.
- Leave your car in the driveway. This gives the appearance of an occupied house, and prevents burglars from backing up a van for loading.
- Don’t leave keys under your doormat, flower pot or window ledge-intruders check these first.
- Use timers for lights, televisions and sound systems to turn them on and off at different times to give your home a lived-in look while you are away.
