Additional tips: House: Alarms | House: Locks | House: Windows & Doors | Garage | Yard | Valuables | Vacation | Miscellaneous |

YOUR VACATION

* 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.