Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Vacation Prep.


This picture was taken by our office manager while taking a well deserved vacation in Cancun. So if you find yourself going on vacation do these things to ensure you come home to a secure home:

* Set lights on timers or light sensors to turn on and off in the evening. A TV or radio can also be set on a timer to add to the illusion that someone is at home.
* Suspend newspaper delivery so papers do not pile up in front of your house.
* If you have a separate mailbox, rather than a mail slot, put your mail on hold.
* Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house and pick up any mail, fliers, newspapers, packages, etc., left outside, and shovel your walkways if it snows.
* If you use a yard service, make sure they come to your house while you're away. An overgrown lawn is a good sign that no one is home.
* Leave a car in your driveway, or ask a neighbor to park there.
* Don't record a new message on your home answering machine indicating where you are or how long you'll be away. You'll be issuing an open invitation for someone to rob your house.
* Leave shades, curtains and blinds in their normal positions. Covered windows during the daytime indicate an empty house.
* If you have an alarm system make sure your emergency contact list is updated. Also instruct anyone that may come in your house how to use your alarm.

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