As it gets closer to the holiday season, here are some helpful hints to stay safe:
**Notify neighbors when leaving town. Arrange for someone to pick up newspapers, door-flyers, mail, and to maintain the lawn.
**Arrange for someone to ?‘house-sit?’ while you?’re away. If that?’s not possible, ask your neighbors to park in your driveway periodically and watch TV at your house one night.
**Trick-or-treat in small groups and stay in familiar, well-lit areas. Parents ?– accompany your children and have a set route.
**Do not leave empty (gift) boxes in public view while waiting for the trash. This advertises to thieves all the expensive equipment and goodies you received over the holidays! A DVD box sitting by the curb can be an invitation to a thief!
**Leave outdoor lights on and bushes low around the home. A well-lit house with no place to hide is less likely to be targeted by criminals.