Strive to make your home look as lived-in as possible while you’re away.

Don’t broadcast your plans but do let your neighbors and local law enforcement know.

Give a spare key to your neighbors and give them an  emergency telephone number to reach you.

Arrange to have your mail and newspapers picked up daily.

Have someone mow your yard or rake the leaves so your house looks lived-in.

Use automatic timers to turn on a radio and lights at different intervals to hide the fact you aren’t home.

Turn down the ringer on the telephone. An unanswered telephone is a dead give-away.

Be sure you don’t announce your absence on your answering machine message.

Leave your blinds like you normally would if you were home. Only close them all the way if
that is what you would normally do.

Be sure to close and lock the garage as  well as any storage sheds, gates, etc.
If possible videotape the contents of your home.

Be sure to keep the video and the list of valuables in a safety deposit box.

Be sure someone knows your itinerary and your estimated time of arrival and return.

If you get lost while traveling, ask directions of local law enforcement, not complete strangers.

Be sure your vehicle is in good working condition and that you have taken enough money. Do not carry large amounts of cash, use credit cards and travelers’ checks