Tips to Protect Your Home While Away for the Holidays
Courtesy of the National Crime Prevention Council.
If you are traveling
- Get an automatic timer for your lights.
- Ask a neighbor to watch your home, pick up any delivered items (packages, mail, newspapers, flyers), shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.
- Don't forget to have mail and newspaper service temporarily halted.
- Click here to fill out the form from the US Postal Service to have your mail temporarily stopped. Just fill it out and stick it in your mailbox - it couldn't be easier.
- To stop delivery of the Indianapolis Star, call 444-4444 and talk to a representative. If you call after hours, select option 2 and follow the instructions.
If You Are Out for the Evening
- Turn on lights and a radio or a television so it looks like someone is home.
- Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it's just for a few minutes.
- Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.
If You Are Shopping
- Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
- Park in a well-lit space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
- Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
- Shopping with kids? Designate a meeting place, but also teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.