Follow these precautions while you’re away for the holidays.
1. Tell a few trusted people that you know and give them the phone number and location where you will be staying.
2. Temporarily stop mail or newspaper. When the mail, newspaper and ads start to pile up on your doorstep. It gives an indication that no one is home.
3. Use electronic timers to have certain lights turned on to give the impression that someone is home. When possible, make sure you’re using CFL or LED bulbs in the fixtures to help keep your energy consumption down.
4. Don’t tell the world. We all like to announce when we’re going on vacation because we can’t wait to get there, but sometimes that's not always a good idea. If you post information on your blog, facebook, twitter or voicemail, don't advertise the best time for intruders to enter your home.
5. Keep those prized possessions in a safe. If you’ve purchased gift cards or valuables, make sure they’re locked away in a safe until you’re ready to hand out the gift.
6. Don’t put those big boxes out on the curb. It lets everyone know that you just purchased that TV or laptop. Either break down the boxes so they fit in your trash can or keep them inside until you can make it to a recycling center.
7. Make sure that the stove and oven are off, the iron is unplugged and that apple cinnamon candle is not lit.
8. If you're gone for an extended period of time, have all of your homes mechanical systems checked to ensure that they're working properly. The last thing that you want is to come home to a water leak or no heat in your home.
