Vacation Watch

Steps to take to discourage thieves from making you a victim:

• Keep your house locked - Doors & Windows! Preferably dead bolt locks. Make sure all sliding doors and sliding windows are secured with a bar or dowel.  Take a walk around the house and check all doors and windows.

• Be sure your address number is visible so the police can find your house quickly.
• Submit the Vacation Watch Request Form at the bottom of the page if you are going to be away from home for a few days. We will check your residence or business for up to ten (10) consecutive days.
• Keep your Cars locked. Don't leave items visible from windows. Computers, VCR's, cameras, purses etc.
• Be wary of salespeople who call to solicit business. Never give credit card numbers, phone card or social security numbers over the phone.
• Engrave Drivers license numbers on all valuables.  Better yet copy down serial numbers on computers, TV's, Video cameras etc.  If you have no serial numbers the police have no way to enter stolen items into the TCIC/NCIC system.
• Have an alarm installed even if you choose not to have it monitored. Burglars will not stay if an alarm is going off.
• Stop all deliveries or arrange for a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers, and packages.
• Have a neighbor place garbage cans at the curb on your normal pickup day and return them after the garbage pickup is made.
• Plug in timers to turn lights and a radio (talk show) or television, on and off, at the appropriate times. Have several throughout the house.
• Turn the bell or ringer on your telephone down low.  If a burglar is around, he/she won’t be alerted to your absence by a ringing telephone.
• If you have call forwarding on your telephone, forward your calls to a trusted friend or relative.
• Let your neighbors know when you will be gone.  Have them call the police if there is any suspicious activity.
• Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway.
• Arrange with a neighbor or relative to watch your home and give them a spare key.  Let them know where and how you can be reached in case of an emergency.  Write your neighbor's telephone number so you can check with them during the trip.  Let them know of anyone who might have legitimate access to the house while you are away.
• Make arrangement to have the lawn mowed and watered while you are gone.
• If you have valuables in your home, take them to your bank deposit box or other secure location.  Deposit extra cash in your bank account.