On Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, a neighbour called police to report a break and enter at a Summerside home. Neighbours observed the front door ajar and windows smashed. A number of high-end property items was stolen including jewellery, a designer handbag and watch, gaming consoles and games, cell phone, and house and car keys.
On Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, neighbours in the Walker community called police to report a break and enter after they observed broken glass and an unlocked front door at the residence. Electronics were reportedly stolen.
“Both of these incidents of break and enters are similar; the homeowners were away on vacation,” says Sgt. Elli McEvoy with Southeast Division. “A vacation house, or one that appears to be unoccupied is an appealing target for thieves.”
Here are some tips to ensure your home is safe and not an easy target while you are on vacation:
- Ask someone to shovel the snow from your driveway and walkways.
- Ensure door and window locks function properly.
- Give your house a lived-in appearance. Place automatic timers on several lights, a radio, and a television. Set the timers so that the lights and appliances turn on and off at random times.
- Leave shades and blinds in a position that you would normally leave them.
- Arrange for a trusted neighbour or friend to pick up mail or other items delivered to you while you are away. Consider stopping newspaper delivery.
- Have a neighbour or friend check both inside and outside the house every few days.
- Ask your neighbour to use your driveway and place your garbage cans at the curb while you are away.
- Leave up-to-date emergency contact information for your neighbour or friend.
- Turn the ringer on your telephone to low or off. Do not leave your lights on 24 hours a day.
- Consider taking valuables to a bank safety deposit box.
- Don’t announce your absence on answering machine messages.
- Set security alarm.
More information is available at http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/crimeprevention.aspx