Home Security Tips

A pile of newspapers on the front sidewalk, empty garbage cans and a dark house several nights in a row can alert burglars that your home is unoccupied. But there are some simple ways to create a lived-in look while you are gone: Ask a trusted neighbor to collect your newspapers and mail.

• House sitters are also a good alternative to protect your home while you are gone. However, be sure the person is trustworthy and that you lay out the rules. A reliable friend might enjoy a change of scenery while watching out for your house.

• Ask a neighbor to occasionally park their car in your driveway while you are away. Also, request that they place one of their trash cans in front of your home for collection.

• Arrange from someone to mow your lawn during your absence.

• Get some timer switches for lights in various rooms. Program them to turn out lights in one room while in another room they are just being flipped on. Many televisions now have timers also. Setting TVs to come on at times your would normally be hoe and turn off at bedtime can help make your home look lived in.

• Make entry to your home difficult year-round by installing strong locks on sliding doors, deadbolts on all outside doors, using window locks and reinforcing door jams.

• Have an answering machine from which you can pick up messages remotely. Use a message that makes it clear the machine is on because of all the solicitation calls and that these unwanted sales callers will not have their calls returned.

• If after your best efforts your home is robbed, report it immediately to the police and your insurance agent. Also, save receipts for any purchases make to repair any damage that occurred during the break-in for possible reimbursements from your insurance company.

From the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.