Beachwood Civic Association

Tips On Neighborhood Crime Prevention – Part 9

Dec 27, 2004

This is part of a continuing series of tips and safeguards for keeping your home and property safe, thanks to the Jacksonville Sheriff?’s Office.

Holiday Homeowner Vacation Tips

Here are some things to keep in mind if you plan to be away over the holidays:

Notify the police of your plans. They will keep an eye on your house when they are in the neighborhood.

Stop deliveries of mail and newspapers or ask a friend to pick them up while you are gone.

Arrange to have the lawn taken care of.

Leave information on where you can be contacted in an emergency with a trusted neighbor and ask them to keep an eye on the house.

Give your house a lived-in appearance. A residence that presents a lived-in appearance is a deterrent to burglars.

Have a neighbor bring in your emptied garbage can.

Put automatic timers on several lights and a radio. Set them so they will turn on and off at random times in different rooms ?– especially the bathroom.

Don?’t leave lights on 24 hours a day.

Leave drapes in a normal position to maintain a lived-in appearance.

Turn the ringer on the telephone down to low.

Have a neighbor park in your driveway or in front of your house.