PHILIPSBURG – The Philipsburg-based State Police has issued a Crime Prevention Initiative for the upcoming holiday season.
In a press release, Cpl. John Bacher offered the following home security tips to area residents so they can better prevent their homes from being burglarized, while they’re away for a holiday vacation.
Bacher has advised residents to:
• use deadbolt locks.
• request a relative or “trusted friend/neighbor” to pick up the mail and newspaper each day. He said by doing so, it eliminates any alert that the home is vacant for a period of time.
• halt deliveries for the time during which no one will be at home.
• request someone check the residence daily at different times. He said it provides an illusion that someone is home and receiving visitors.
• continue the illusion of a home presence by placing several interior lights on timers. He said the appearance of lights turning on and off during the evening and nighttime hours gives the home a “lived in” appearance.
• if away for an extended period of time, arrange for someone to shovel the sidewalks and or plow the driveway as weather dictates.
Bacher also noted that for the holiday season, residents should protect their debit and credit card information. He said they should swipe their own card(s) and not release the numbers and security code to anyone.
