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Strive to make your home look as lived-in as possible while you're
away.
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Don't broadcast your plans but do let your neighbors and local law
enforcement know.
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Give a spare key to your neighbors and give them an emergency
telephone number to reach you.
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Arrange to have your mail and newspapers either stopped or picked up
daily.
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Have someone mow your yard or rake the leaves so your house looks
lived-in.
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Use automatic timers to turn on a radio and lights at different
intervals to hide the fact you aren't home.
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Turn down the ringer on the telephone. An unanswered telephone is a
dead give-away.
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Be sure you don't announce your absence on your answering machine
message.
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Leave your blinds like you normally would if you were home. Only
close them all the way if that is what you would normally do.
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Be sure to close and lock the garage as well as any storage sheds,
gates, etc.
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Engrave all your valuables with your driver's license number. If
possible videotape the contents of your home. Be sure to keep the video
and the list of valuables in a safety deposit box.
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Ask your neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway. If you are
leaving a vehicle parked outside, have the neighbor move it periodically
so it looks as though you are home.
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Be sure someone knows your itinerary and your estimated time of
arrival and return.
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If you get lost while traveling, ask directions of local law
enforcement, not complete strangers.
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Be sure your vehicle is in good working condition and that you have
taken enough money. Do not carry large amounts of cash, use credit cards
and travelers' checks.
