Keeping Your Home Safe While Traveling for the Holidays
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: December 24, 2012
Amidst the hustle and bustle to get out the door, home security may take a back seat. So local law enforcement is increasing their neighborhood watch to help prevent crimes.
Fayetteville Police say some of the simplest reminders can keep you safe when heading out of town.
"The biggest thing you need to make sure before you leave the house is you need to make sure all your windows are locked, all your doors are locked, go ahead and use the pad lock on your garage door, lock your garage door as well completely down," Corporal Thomas Reed said.
Your garage is also a good place to hide your holiday trash. Putting it on the sidewalk drop-off could lure criminals to your home.
"Don't leave the big flat screen TV box out on the curb. Draw your curtains, close your blinds and stuff like that so people can't see them while they're in your living room. It's just too much of a temptation for some people," Reed said.
Temptation, that can be curbed by police on patrol.
"Contact your local law enforcement agency and let them know 'hey, I'm going out of town. I'll be going out of town from this time to this time,'"
Reed suggests setting your Christmas and interior lights on a timer, convincing could-be robbers you're still home.
"We pay closer attention to people that are going out of town for the holidays this time of year. We go by and check on those houses on a regular basis this time of year."
Plus, don't use social media to broadcast when you'll be leaving your house empty.
"Don't post on Facebook that you're going out of town. You don't really know who's looking at your page. [They could] go by and see what you got for Christmas and take it as their own."
According to police, the home crime rate in Northwest Arkansas is low, but it's better to not take the chance during the holidays.
The National Crime Prevention Council released a home security checklist, click here to take a look.
Fayetteville Police say some of the simplest reminders can keep you safe when heading out of town.
"The biggest thing you need to make sure before you leave the house is you need to make sure all your windows are locked, all your doors are locked, go ahead and use the pad lock on your garage door, lock your garage door as well completely down," Corporal Thomas Reed said.
Your garage is also a good place to hide your holiday trash. Putting it on the sidewalk drop-off could lure criminals to your home.
"Don't leave the big flat screen TV box out on the curb. Draw your curtains, close your blinds and stuff like that so people can't see them while they're in your living room. It's just too much of a temptation for some people," Reed said.
Temptation, that can be curbed by police on patrol.
"Contact your local law enforcement agency and let them know 'hey, I'm going out of town. I'll be going out of town from this time to this time,'"
Reed suggests setting your Christmas and interior lights on a timer, convincing could-be robbers you're still home.
"We pay closer attention to people that are going out of town for the holidays this time of year. We go by and check on those houses on a regular basis this time of year."
Plus, don't use social media to broadcast when you'll be leaving your house empty.
"Don't post on Facebook that you're going out of town. You don't really know who's looking at your page. [They could] go by and see what you got for Christmas and take it as their own."
According to police, the home crime rate in Northwest Arkansas is low, but it's better to not take the chance during the holidays.
The National Crime Prevention Council released a home security checklist, click here to take a look.
