By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Marlton Telegram
The summer months offer residents time to take vacation and unwind from the stresses of their everyday lives. However, returning home to a burgled house might not be the best way to wrap up a getaway with the family.
Summer can be the peak season for home break-ins. According to the Home Safety Council — a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing home related injuries — home burglaries peak in the months of July and August when many families are away on vacation.
Evesham Police Department Captain Jeff Gural said there are some simple tips for residents who are leaving on vacation to decrease their chances of a break-in. The easiest way, he said, is to give a home the appearance that it’s occupied.
Homes that are free of piles of mail and old newspapers give the appearance of occupancy, he said. Having a trusted neighbor or relative pick up mail and newspapers, and maintain a home’s landscaping can go a long way to thwart a possibly break in.
A neighbor or family member should also check the house once or twice a day, Gural said, and should make sure nothing is suspicious at the property. Whoever is keeping an eye on the property should also have a copy of the resident’s vacation itinerary and contact information as well.
Letting neighbors know of any scheduled service that may come to a resident’s home when they’re on vacation, such as a cleaning service or pet walking service, is also important. Neighbors sometimes see these services, he said, and call the police because they believe the home is being broken into.
Also, Gural said residents who have alarm systems in their homes need to remember to set and arm their systems before they go on vacation. Many residents, he said, forget to set their systems before they leave.
Finally, homeowners need to remember to close and lock their garage doors and any gates leading into their property. Additionally, remembering to lock all doors and windows may be the simplest tip he can give to people leaving for vacation, he said.
The Evesham Police Department also offers specific “vacation checks” for residents who sign up for the service on the department’s Web site.
Homeowners can sign up for the service, Gural said, and an officer will check the property on several occasions during its vacancy.
If anything seems suspicious or wrong with the home, officers can easily contact the homeowner from the contact information provided when they sign up for the service.
To sign up for the “vacation check” service, residents can visit the department’s Web site at Eveshampd.org, download and print a form, and drop it off at the police department before leaving on vacation.
