At Home

• Make sure all doors and windows have secondary locks (window pins, deadbolts, dowels, etc.) and use them!
• Don’t hide spare keys in mailboxes or planters, or under doormats.
• Ensure that dark areas and entrances have outdoor lights that are turned on after dark or are activated by sensors.
• Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed so they do not conceal doors and windows. Remember, overgrown foliage can provide a hiding place for criminals.
• Place gifts where they can’t be seen from the outside. 
• Consider safe deposit boxes for coin and stamp collections, seldom-worn jewelry, stock bonds, etc. 
• Be sure to mail cards, checks or gift certificates from the Post Office or at a blue U.S. Postal Service collection box.
• Lock your vehicle and remove all the valuables. Yes, even in your driveway.

• Strangers at your Door
  • Use caution anytime there is a stranger at your door. 
  • Be suspicious of unexpected sales calls or deliveries. Ask for identification.
  • Be aware of scams that criminals commit to take advantage of people’s generosity during the holidays. 
  • Investigate charities before making donations. Ask how the funds will be used.  
• Leaving for the Holidays
  • Ask a trusted friend, neighbor or Neighborhood Watch member to watch your home.
  • Use timers for lights and radios while you’re away.
  • Remember to make arrangements for mail and newspapers. 
• After the Holidays
  • Don’t advertise expensive toys, electronics, or other gifts received by the boxes left for garbage collections. Compress large boxes and place them in black garbage bags for pick-up. 
  • Add new items to your home inventory. Take photos or video of all items of value in your home and list each item’s make, model, serial number and other information. 
  • Engrave new items to help identify them in the event they are stolen.