Summer is a time for fun, but it can also be a time for crime, especially with behavioral patterns that deviate from what the norm is during the rest of the year and many families spending more time outside and away from home.
With the first day of summer finally upon us and upcoming vacations for many, here are some summer safety tips shared by Lower Saucon Township Chief of Police Tom Barndt.
Lower Saucon Township Police Chief Tom Barndt (FILE PHOTO)
Follow them for peace of mind when you are away, and to help avoid coming home from vacation to discover that your home has been burgled.
Safety First
First, Chief Barndt recommends that residents planning a trip contact the Lower Saucon Police Department by calling 610-317-6110 during regular business hours to complete a home vacation check request. This request can also be made via the department’s Crimewatch page at LowerSauconPolice.org. It serves as a reminder for the police officers on duty to pay particular attention to your home as they patrol your neighborhood.
Other home safety tips you should follow this summer include:
- Make sure your home’s security system is activated before you go away.
- Put interior lights on timers.
- Let neighbors know that you’ll be going away, so they know to keep an eye on your home and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
- Have a friend or family member check on your home and possibly move vehicles left parked in the driveway or on the street. Doing this will help create the appearance that someone is home.
- Be sure that all doors and windows are locked. Use a security bar for sliding doors or windows.
- Keep shrubbery trimmed around your home’s exterior so potential intruders can’t hide behind it.
- Be sure that your lawn is cut and trimmed regularly if you’ll be away for an extended period of time.
- Install/activate exterior motion lights as a deterrent to intruders.
- Keep the gate(s) to swimming pools locked.
- Avoid advertising the fact that you are away from home on social media. Wait until you return home to share your vacation photos and videos, or at least limit the audience for them online by adjusting privacy settings if necessary.
Remember, these tips apply wherever you live.
If you live in the Borough of Hellertown, the Hellertown Police Department can be reached at 610-838-7040. Give them a call to let them know you will be away, so they can monitor your house more closely.
Then, enjoy your summer vacation knowing that local police are serving and protecting back home.
Following common sense home safety tips will help reduce your chances of becoming another residential break-in statistic while you’re away on vacation this summer. (STOCK PHOTO)
