Before going on your next vacation, consider taking measures to protect your home from burglaries.
Thieves know the signs when someone is out of town.
When 27-year-old Jose Mazara was convicted of break-ins at three Takoma Park homes around Thanksgiving last year, prosecutors said he targeted homes where newspapers and/or mail piled up outside the front door.
Mazara entered homes through unlocked doors and windows, police said. In one case, he used a ladder he found on the property to reach an unlocked second floor window.
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He took about $30,000 in valuable items like gold and diamond jewelry, watches, and a handgun with ammunition.
“If you have a security system, just test it out before you leave,” said Karen Morris of Annapolis Home Concierge, a residential property management company. “Test out that security system. If you have a Ring camera, make sure those batteries are changed.”
To reduce the risk of your home being burglarized while on vacation, ask a friend or neighbor to collect your packages, mail and newspapers.
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“One thing that has come up a lot lately that people don’t expect is that they’ve ordered things on Amazon — have someone pick up your packages, because you can’t always schedule those things,” Morris said.
If you’re going to be gone a while, arrange to have the lawn mowed.
Make sure all doors and windows are locked, including upper floor windows.
Leaving a car in the driveway is good a idea, but make sure the garage door opener isn’t in the car.
And vacation pictures posted on social media can advertise that your house may be empty.
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