Are you heading out to see family and friends this holiday season? For many it’s the best part of the holiday season. Before you rush out the door, make sure to secure your home.
- Lock up. This may seem like an obvious rule of safety, but sometimes the most obvious rules are the ones we forget to follow. Don’t assume your doors and windows are shut and locked. Double check them! If you don't already have a deadbolt on your doors, you may want to consider investing in some. They can make your doors more secure and offer you peace of mind.
- Avoid posting your whereabouts on social media. I’m sure you have seen posts from friends and relatives on vacation. Some people post everything on Facebook–even if it's just a photo of lunch. It's only natural that you would want to post a picture or two on Facebook or Twitter sharing your holiday fun. However, you may want to think twice about this. You never know who may be looking at your social media. Make sure your kids are following this rule, too.
- Put lights on a timer. If you have outside holiday lights, put them on an automatic timer when you go out of town. You can set the timer so that your lights go on at a certain hour each night, making it appear as if you're home. You might also consider setting a few indoor lights on timers.
- Don't hide a key. Having a spare house key is a must. However, it's crucial to be careful about where you store that key. Don’t leave it in a fake rock or place it under your doormat. Criminals know all about these hiding places. Instead, leave a key with a trusted friend or neighbor, that way you’ll have access to it when needed.
- Ask someone to pick up your mail, or stop your mail. There is another benefit about having friendly neighbors. They can pick up your mail and newspapers. Having newspapers piled up on your doorstep might as well be a sign saying, "Hey everyone, I'm not home." You can also easily temporarily stop mail delivery on the U.S. Postal Service website.
- Hide any Christmas gifts. Of course you want to keep gifts out of sight from children, but you also want to make sure gifts are hidden from a potential burglar. Putting pretty wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree looks nice, but it’s also an open invitation for a burglar. Try to keep your Christmas tree, with gifts underneath, away from windows or other places with a view.
The holiday season is a joyous time of the year. Don’t let criminals ruin your holiday. Take some holiday precautions before heading out. You can then rest a little easier and enjoy the season with family friends.
Additionally, you can sign up for a free “vacation house check” with the Roseville Police Department. As time and staffing permit, our Roseville Police "Citizens on Patrol" volunteers will check the exterior of your home, make sure doors and gates are secure, and remove any unwanted papers or advertisements from your driveway and front door stoop. If they see a problem, they'll notify you and, if appropriate, will have a police officer respond.
To submit a request for a vacation house check, please click here to download the application. We ask that you submit a request at least a week before your departure date.
For more information, please call the Roseville Police Department volunteer line at (916) 746-1052.