Don't be a Target!...Have a plan.
~ Replace broken screens, latches, and windowpanes.
~ Secure gates and sheds, with padlocks or dead bolt-lockes.
~ Trim shrubbery, around windows and doors.
~ Don’t hide house keys outside. Thieves will look under rocks and they know what
those "desecrate" key holders look like.
~ Give a trusted neighbor a spare key. Ask them to pick up mail and newspapers, put trash cans
in front of your house on trash day, mow and rake the lawn, and/or park in the driveway.
~ Turn off iron, electronics, ice-maker, better yet turn off the main water to the house, if possible.
~ Leave automatic sprinklers on, put timers on lamps, and install motion-activated lights outside.
~ Leave draperies open slightly on upper floors.
~ Don’t announce your absence on Social media or answering machine messages.
~ Remove garage door openers and house keys from cars, even if they are parked in the garage.
~ Lock garage door going into home, most over looked.
~ Put valuables in safe-deposit box, or home safe.
~ Inform your local police that you'll be away.