WHEN
YOU GO ON VACATION
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One of the times your home
is most vulnerable is when it is left empty for an extended period of time.
Darkened windows, mail or newspapers collecting and closed windows in hotter
weather all advertise your absence to a potential burglar.
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The best protection for
your apartment during your absence is to have a house sitter. A friend you
trust staying at your house can take care of your pets and/or plants in
addition to making sure the house is inhabited.
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Have a neighbor check on your
apartment while you're away -- turning on lights, radios or TVs and opening and
closing curtains will give your apartment the appearance of someone home.
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If you don't have a friend
or neighbor to housesit or check your apartment while you're away -- perhaps
even if you do -- you should keep not only lights but a TV or radio on a timer.
If you're like me and have your TV on almost all the time you're home [NOTE: I
don't watch it, it's just background noise.], the absence of the sound and that
glowing light in the windows announces that you're not there.
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Make sure whoever is
checking your apartment while you're away knows how to work your alarm system
and who to call in case of a problem.
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Unless you have a house
sitter, stop your mail and any newspaper or other delivery. Nothing announces
an empty apartment better than a stack of newspapers or an overflowing mailbox.
Ask a nearby neighbor to pick up any packages delivered while you're gone.
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If you have a garden or
plants on your balcony, make sure someone is watering the plants regularly or
put the plants where they can't be seen. Plants slowly dying due to lack of
water may announce your absence.
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Check your lease. Many
landlords require that you notify them if your apartment is going to be left
empty for any period of time (this is so they can enter in case of emergency
even if they can't reach you). If you've got a house sitter this isn't
necessary.
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http://ashleyproducts.bluedomino.com/
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