Originally published June 13 2005
Before vacation, protect your house against thieves
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
It's summer and everyone is packing up and trying to enjoy a few days (or weeks) of vacation. But before leaving, here are a few simple precautions that could protect your house against burglary. First, make sure your house is secure. Check every window and exterior door in the home to ensure that the locks are adequate. Home security systems are great for those who can afford it. You can also engrave all valuable items with your social security number -- maybe police can track your favorite necklace. It is also helpful to create the illusion that you're not away. Don�t talk in public about when and how long you're leaving. Have someone cut your grass -- an unkempt lawn is a sign to thieves. You can buy inexpensive timers that automatically turn on and off your lights. It's also a good idea to have a police officer check your empty house every once in a while.
Some already have packed their bags and left; others are perusing maps and making travel plans.
Wherever their trips take them, and whether they are away from home for only a night or two, or for a week or more, vacationers need to do their homework before leaving home.
Sadly, numerous area residents have stories of returning home after a fun-filled vacation only to find a door ajar or a window pried up, prized possessions missing and other belongings scattered about.
Homeowners could prevent a lot of needless headaches if they would take a few precautions before hopping in the car and driving off on vacation.
For starters, they should check every window and exterior door in the home to ensure that the locks are adequate.
Many are not and should be replaced with deadbolt locks or other devices to upgrade a home's security system.
The cost will be nominal and it could be some of the best money a homeowner ever spends.
For those who can afford them, home security systems are great, but they should take other steps as well.
Certainly one of the best things any homeowner can do is to engrave all valuable items in the home with their social security number.
That will discourage thieves and make identification and recovery easier if they should be stolen.
Those planning trips should wait until they return home to talk about them, because burglars have big ears, and if they know someone is going to be gone a few days, they could strike.
Only a trusted few should be told of vacation plans in advance and deliveries of mail and newspapers stopped or arrangements made for someone to pick them up daily.
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