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15 June 2005
Safe summer
Protect your home while you're on vacation
By Terry Riley
Over the past few years, crime in the U.S. has been reported to be on the
wane, but it is still the highest of any industrialized nation. And as
I
wrote in this space just last month, Memorial Day marks the
traditional kick-off for yet another season of crime.
Beginning now, and continuing through the vacation season, an American's
chances of becoming a crime victim are higher than at any other time of the
year.
The good news is that most travelers will return from their vacations with
no stories of crime to tell. The bad news is that sometimes those stories await
those same travelers until they arrive back at their homes where they discover that they have been
victims of a home burglary.
Because an unoccupied home can be an invitation for burglars, I thought it
would be instructive to review some precautions that you ought to think
about taking before leaving home this summer.
Lock all doors and windows (duh), and if you have an alarm system, turn it
on.
Unplug
electrical appliances that aren't necessary.
Unplug
your garage door opener so that it won't open accidentally.
Use a
couple of variable timers to light the interior of your home and to turn
on a radio.
Have
calls forwarded to a friend who will be around while you are away.
Arrange
for your mail and newspaper to be held or, better yet, picked up daily.
Ask a
neighbor to put out your trashcans on pick-up day.
Arrange
for lawn care.
If you
plan to drive or park your car at the airport, hide or remove from your
vehicle your registration information and any other documents that include your
address.
Alert
the police and/or your neighbors of your travel plans so they can keep an
eye on your house.
Have a great summer vacation.
© 2005 Applied Psychology
Related Err Travel columns
Crime time - Summer is when travelers become
victims
... and from Travel Fox:
Erhart Verner
forms support group for travelers - Six million join in first month
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