Nearly five million homes are burglarized every year, often while homeowners are away on vacation, according to the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association. Take steps that make sense for a thief-proof your house make less than the target throughout the year, and increase anxiety-free getaway.
National Crime Prevention Council suggests the following to your pre-vacation checklist:
Making your home look lived in while you're away. The key is to make it appear that the people who come and go, said Jim Wright, a director on the board. But leaving lights on all day is an indication that no one at home. Instead, put the porch light and lights on or two timers. If you set them to turn on and off with different patterns, this will help to create the impression that someone is home. Also, there's someone pulling the trash to the curb on garbage day and park in front of your house occasionally.
Got a friend or neighbor check your house. Better yet, have their homes sit. Also, your neighborhood crime watch groups or the local police department of your departure and ask them to give extra attention to your home while you're away.
Stop newspapers and mail or arrange for them to be collected. If a friend or neighbor who did this to you, be sure to have them also retrieve circulars that may accumulate. The post office will hold mail for 30 days; see http://www.usps.com/ for more information.
Secure all windows and door locks and make sure they work. Sounds obvious, but Wright says that people often overlook this step while caught up in the pre-holiday preparations. "Six of every 10 over the robbery occurred through doors or windows open," he said. And do not forget about the garage.
Trim the bushes. Overgrown with shrubs provide hiding places for potential intruders and can interfere with sight lines police or anyone else checking your house.
Invest in electronic security. Home alarm is always a good investment. Even security signs and stickers effective deterrents.
www.washingtonpost.com
National Crime Prevention Council suggests the following to your pre-vacation checklist:
Making your home look lived in while you're away. The key is to make it appear that the people who come and go, said Jim Wright, a director on the board. But leaving lights on all day is an indication that no one at home. Instead, put the porch light and lights on or two timers. If you set them to turn on and off with different patterns, this will help to create the impression that someone is home. Also, there's someone pulling the trash to the curb on garbage day and park in front of your house occasionally.
Got a friend or neighbor check your house. Better yet, have their homes sit. Also, your neighborhood crime watch groups or the local police department of your departure and ask them to give extra attention to your home while you're away.
Stop newspapers and mail or arrange for them to be collected. If a friend or neighbor who did this to you, be sure to have them also retrieve circulars that may accumulate. The post office will hold mail for 30 days; see http://www.usps.com/ for more information.
Secure all windows and door locks and make sure they work. Sounds obvious, but Wright says that people often overlook this step while caught up in the pre-holiday preparations. "Six of every 10 over the robbery occurred through doors or windows open," he said. And do not forget about the garage.
Trim the bushes. Overgrown with shrubs provide hiding places for potential intruders and can interfere with sight lines police or anyone else checking your house.
Invest in electronic security. Home alarm is always a good investment. Even security signs and stickers effective deterrents.
www.washingtonpost.com
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