Good morning Peachtree Corners, it's you friendly, neighborhood police officer, Officer Kelly. The holidays are upon us and I wanted to share some useful safety tips that range from traveling to going out for the evening and after you have unwrapped your gifts.
If You Are Traveling
Get an automatic timer for your lights.
Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.
Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone.
If You Are Out for the Evening
Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home.
Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it's just for a few minutes.
Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.
After You've Opened the Gifts
Burglars know that many households have new, and oftentimes expensive, items in their homes following the December holidays—especially items such as new computers and peripherals, stereo components, televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment. In too many cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view with their other garbage. Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in garbage bags and place them inside a trash can. (In many cases, especially with computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, shipping or moving in the future.) Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside—in a garage, for example—until the evening before your regular garbage pick-up. Some burglars actually look inside garbage cans for evidence of holiday gifts.
Just a few tips to keep yourself and property safe through the holidays.
Officer Shane Kelly#660
Office#678-442-6572