When Away From Home

Making your home appear occupied while away on vacation will help discourage burglaries. Here are some simple tips to help give the impression that you are home.

• Use automatic timers to turn lights on at dusk and off around bedtime. Consider putting the television on a timer as well. Vary the times that lights turn on and off if possible.
• Keep garage doors closed and locked. Park a vehicle or two in the driveway. Make sure the vehicles are locked and no valuables are left inside.
• Stop the mail and newspaper or have a trusted neighbor collect both each day.
• Turn your telephone ringers to off and lower the volume on any answering machines. A loud unanswered telephone ring can tip off intruders that no one is home.
• Make arrangements to have your lawn mowed and/or driveway plowed.
• Tell a neighbor where you can be reached in case of an emergency and ask the neighbor to check on your home occasionally.
• Do not tell more people than necessary that you will be away from the home.