Hinsdale Police Give Tips for Safe Summer Travels

The following is a release from the :

The Hinsdale Police Department encourages you to follow these crime prevention tips if you are traveling away from your home during the summer season:

• The No. 1 prevention tip is to make your house look “LIVED IN” when you’re away. Never let items pile up in the mailbox or on the porch. It sends the message that no one is home or watching the residence.
• Arrange with a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers, and garbage cans. They live in your neighborhood and know what looks suspicious in the area. 
• Set automatic timers for interior and exterior lights, radios and TVs. Turn the ringer down on the phone. A ringing phone alerts others that no one is home.
• Leave a normal message on your voicemail and do not announce that you will be on vacation. Do not post on Facebook or Twitter that you will be away from your residence on vacation.
• Leave your window shades in a “normal” position, or have your “house-watcher” move the window shade positioning throughout your vacation or your time away from your home. DO NOT CLOSE THE BLINDS.
• Lock your valuables in a safe-deposit box or fire safe. Document all valuables via videotape and place this and important serial numbers in a safe deposit box, as well.
• Notify the police department and request a “VACATION WATCH.”
• Lock ALL ladders, lawn supplies, etc., in the shed or garage and make sure your garage is secured at all times.
• Take your garage door openers OUT of your vehicles. Remove important papers and documents with personal information on them. Have vehicles moved on occasion, so as to not be parked in one spot all the time.
• Make sure your burglar and fire alarms are in working condition. Test them with the alarm company and make sure your alarm company has an updated call list.
• Secure your windows by “PINNING” them and place a security bar in the track of your sliding glass doors.
• Leave emergency contact information with the police or a trusted neighbor.
• If you see a suspicious person or vehicle PLEASE don’t hesitate to notify the police by calling 911.
• PLEASE close and lock your garage doors and any external doors.