July 4 Travel: Keeping the House Safe While You're Gone

Residents in Fairfax Station and Clifton have becoming increasingly concerned about petty crimes in the community. With many homeowners going away for the holiday weekend, here are some tips on keeping your home safe while you're gone:

• Tell your local police department that you will be away. Ask them to visit the home for exterior checks.
• Don’t broadcast your absence on Twitter, Facebook, Craigslist, blog or any other social network.
• Have a neighbor or friend to stop by your house periodically to open and close blinds, turn on different lights and move vehicles around the property.
• If you have no one to stop by your house, then leave the lights and televisions on automatic timers.
• Discontinue your mail, newspaper and delivery services until you return.
• Make arrangements for exterior property maintenance to continue while you're gone.
• Let neighbors or friends know when you are leaving and returning home and if you are allowing anyone at your house while you are away.
• Make sure all shrubbery near doors and windows are maintained and cut to prevent someone from hiding and add motion activated exterior lights.
• Install deadbolt locks and window locks and have bars placed in the tracks or track locks on all sliding glass doors and windows. Be sure this doesn't impede your own emergency escape plan.
• Even if you aren't planning to travel, it's a good idea to make a list and take pictures of all your possessions for insurance companies and police. Keep this information with a friend or in a safe place.
• Mark or inscribe each item with a number with assistance from your local police.
• For truly valuable or irreplaceable property, obtain a safe deposit box.