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With lots of travel plans for the holiday season, we sometimes forget the little things, like making sure our home is safe and secure while we are gone.

Since many would-be thieves research an area before the actual theft, try to keep the appearance of your regular schedule while you are gone.  Make sure your home still looks occupied and "lived in."

Always tell a trusted neighbor you will be away so they are aware of any suspicious activity.  Many communities have their own neighborhood watches, but a neighbor close by is still the best person to keep an eye on your home.

Put some of your lights on a timer for your typical "at-home" times.   Especially with the longer nights, it is a good idea to even alternate some of the lights and have neighbors change the timers in other rooms, if you will be away for an extended absence.

Have a neighbor or someone else pick up mail and newspapers or stop delivery.  Piled up newspapers at a house is a red flag that no one is home.

Keep up with the yard work before leaving or arrange for lawn services while away to make it look like the house is still occupied and being maintained.

Don't ever leave valuable items in plain sight where even repair persons can see.  You never know who will take notice and tell someone else.

Use call forwarding for any phone calls and  use a generic message on the answering machine, making sure you do not indicate that you are away. 

Nothing will guarantee that a home is completely safe from robbery, even those that have alarm systems.   But the more we are aware of the little things we can do to prevent such a violation, the safer all our our neighborhoods will be!