If you're planning a vacation or just want to make sure your home is safe from burglars, here are some tips:

·          Stop your mail and newspapers delivery or have a neighbor pick it up.

·          During an extended vacation, make arrangements to have someone mow your lawn or trim your bushes.

·          Leave lights on automatic timers.

·          Notify your local police department that you will be away.

·          Ask a neighbor or friend to stop by your house periodically; have them open and close blinds, turn on different lights.

·          Let your neighbors know when you are leaving and when you plan to return home.

Landscaping

Burglars want easy access to your home and most work at night. Make sure all trees and shrubs are trimmed near all doors and windows where intruders might hide. Add exterior lights on the ground and in trees or along your roof around your home. Consider lights that are activated by motion sensors.

Don't Make It Easy for Them

Burglars like to work quickly, so try to slow down their path into and around the house. Depending on the location, add:

·           Deadbolt locks

·           Window locks

·           Bars in the tracks of sliding glass doors or on windows (if they would not impede your escape in an emergency)

If you can afford it, add an alarm system with detectors mounted on all doors and windows. The alarm system will alert your neighbors and the police, and should scare the burglar away.

Know Your Neighbors

A nosy neighbor is a burglar's worst enemy. Get to know your neighbors and work out a reciprocal arrangement to watch each other's houses. Let them know when you will be gone and whether any deliveries are expected during your absence.

Keep Valuables Hidden
Store jewelry, china and other valuables in a safe hiding place, such as a safety deposit box.

Keep an Inventory of Household Possessions
Go through each room and write down a list of possessions, including serial numbers. Take pictures of your valuables and keep them in a safe place or with a friend or relative. This will help in the event of a burglary, flood or fire. List the items using all identifying markings and serial numbers.

Other Precautions:

·           Lock all doors and windows.

·           Don't give out personal information to unknown solicitors over the telephone.

·           Don’t put your address or telephone number on your key ring.

·           Don’t hide your keys on your property.