Whether you are going home for a weekend or leaving for break, it is important to keep your apartment/house secure to prevent burglaries

• When not at home, make sure all doors and windows are locked.
• Do not leave a spare key outside (i.e. under the floor mat) unless it is in a combination key lockbox.
• If you are leaving for more than a week, be sure to remove any items that may spoil from your refrigerator and/or cupboards.
• Do not turn your heat completely off when leaving during winter months. Doing so may cause your pipes to freeze/burst.
• If you are leaving for more than a week, ask a neighbor, friend, or your landlord to occasionally check on your house or apartment. Give them a spare key and emergency contact information for you and/or your roommates.
• Make sure all windows are closed and secure and your blinds are closed.
• Make sure all entrances are well lit (a burglar is less likely to break into a door where they can easily be seen.
• If you will be gone for more than a few days, stop mail delivery or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail (a fill mailbox could
• Take valuables with you. If you do leave valuables, make sure they are away from windows and out of sight.
• Do not leave any notes for friends or service people on your door. This could indicate to a burglar that no one is home.

Sources: www.ehow.com; www.howstuffworks.com