| As you are getting ready for your Christmas vacation, remember that thieves plan on people being away over the holidays. You don't want to make your home a target or arrive home to find many of your possessions missing.
The best way to make sure you home remains secure is to get a house sitter, as long as he or she is trustworthy. Offer someone you know a small sum of money to stay in your house while you're away so it isn't empty. College-age kids love this job (just make sure they won't use your house as a party location!) because they get time away from living at home and it's an easy job: you may even be able to convince them to stay for free.
If a house sitter isn't a possibility, ask a neighbor or friend to periodically stop by your house, make sure no flyers or papers have been left outside, and park their car in your driveway. This way it looks like someone is at home. If you leave your car ask someone to move it periodically so it's not sitting in the same spot unmoved. You should also buy a timer for your lights so they go on and off while you're away. Rather than stopping your mail and newspaper ask someone to pick them up: having them stopped is a signal to robbers.
Also, hire a neighbor to shovel if it snows. Say you'll pay when you get home. People always think to make sure their lawn stays mowed in the summer, but an untouched snow-covered yard is an obvious signal that you are gone. Also ask a neighbor to set some trash outside your house on collection day. Make sure that all windows and doors are locked and put motion lights outside.
It is important to turn down your phone ringers or turn them off: a ringing phone that goes on continually can also let people know that you are away. If you do have timers consider putting a radio or TV on a timer to provide noises indicating that someone is home.
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