(Tip: Let the neighbor or trusted friend know that you expect no deliveries. There are several accounts of thieves making off with household goods posing as a delivery person.)
• Allow a trusted neighbor to park their vehicle in your driveway or parking place (and move it periodically) to appear that you are at home. (Tip: If you are leaving your own car in the driveway, make sure to remove the garage door opener!)
• Another indicator of your absence is an overgrown lawn. Make sure to hire someone to keep the grass mowed and landscaping trimmed. Overgrown hedging around doors and windows eliminates views of your home, providing protection for the burglar. (Tip: Thorny shrubs close to the exterior perimeter of your home are not welcome by most burglars, so feel free to plant several!)
• The message on your answering machine should only indicate that you are "unable to come to the phone right now". Call in periodically to retrieve the calls. (Tip: A lengthy stream of "beeps" indicates that no one is at home to receive the messages.)
• Leave blinds and shades in their normal positions, especially in the upper floors. When they are both down during daytime and nighttime hours, burglars know that no one is at home to change them.
• Keep your travel plans to yourselves (and other trusted friends and family).
• Leave a trusted friend or family member your forwarding number so that you can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
• Never leave your spare keys hidden outside where experienced criminals can access them easily. Leave a set with one or two trusted neighbors or family members. (Tip: Ask that neighbor or family member to periodically check the INTERIOR of your home as well.)
• Put several lights throughout the interior of the house on timers, set to go on/off at various times.
• Exterior lighting is not only attractive; it is an excellent defense against home burglary. Situate the lighting around windows and doors as well as any dark corners around the exterior of your home. Motion-detection lighting should be placed around the perimeter of your home as well as near the garage. (Tip: Make sure that all lights are in working order. If you question the last time you changed the bulbs…change them prior to your trip!)
• Prior to leaving, make sure that ALL doors and windows are locked. Pay particular attention to "hidden" entrances. These would include screened porches or breezeways as well as entrances from your garage into your home. (Tip: Deadbolts should be "keyed" from the interior if sidelights exist near the door. A regular deadbolt lock that you turn is ineffective if someone can break the sidelight near the door and turn it themselves. It is suggested that doors have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws.)
• Sliding glass doors need additional security. It is recommended that as a minimum you should place a metal rod or piece of wood in the track. (Tip: A fitted rod placed horizontally in the center of the door provides additional security.)
• It is difficult, at best, to have a completely secure and protected home. It is best to safeguard your small valuables in a safety deposit box. It is also advisable to etch your larger valuables with your driver's license number. Contact your local police department for further assistance.
• Itemize or videotape your home furnishings and valuables, and keep a copy in your safety deposit box. This provides excellent documentation for the police, as well as your insurance company, in the event your property is stolen or destroyed.
• Last, but not least, contact your local police department and let them know that you will be away. Upon request, police departments are more than willing to patrol the neighborhood, up to several times a day! (Tip: If a trusted neighbor or family member is also checking your home periodically, advise the police department of that, as well!)

Most local police departments offer suggestions on home protection and crime prevention. Many offer "Neighborhood Watch" programs geared toward protecting neighborhood homes 365 days a year!

©2002 Marge Harris. Publication or use of this article on or off-line without written permission from Marge Harris is prohibited. If you would like to use Marge's articles on your Web site or in your publication, just email Marge for details!

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