Put home-safety precautions on holiday travel checklist

Holidays often mean leaving town to see Aunt Josie or Grandpa Don. They also mean empty houses.

Crime spikes over the holidays , according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice. Homeowners can take certain steps to make their home appear occupied.

"I would say the No. 1 thing to do is have the post office hold your mail, as far as any sort of identity theft, so hold your mail and hold your paper if you have the paper delivered because sometimes, papers racking up in the driveway can be an (indicator) that you're not home," said Chrissie Coon, North Las Vegas Police Department spokeswoman. "The trick is to try to convince burglars that you're home even though you're not."

She suggested using timers on lights or the TV and setting them to come on randomly throughout the day. Asking a neighbor to keep an eye on the place comes with a caution.

"Only if it's a trusted neighbor or relative because you may not want them to know that you're going to be out of town for a week," Coon said, "unless it's somebody you've gotten to know over the years, not just somebody who moved in three months ago."

A home in America is burglarized every 14.3 seconds, according to the FBI, and in 2009, roughly 2.2 million burglaries were committed, with police arresting 12.5 percent of perpetrators.

Most of the bad guys get in by breaking through a door.

Thirty-four percent of burglars gained entry through the front door, 23 percent via the back door, 23 percent got in through first-floor windows and 9 percent gained entry through the garage, according to the Bureau of Justice's website at bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov.

Fewer than 2 percent of burglars gain entry above the first floor, usually using a stairway leading to a raised deck or a low roof that offers easy access to a window.

Can't afford a camera system? False cameras are an inexpensive alternative.

"Let the crook worry about if it's real or not," said Marcus Martin, an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department. "Usually, he or she is moving on to where there are no salient protections."

He added that it's wise to refrain from leaving presents around a Christmas tree visible from a window. Put alarm-company stickers on your windows, he said, even if you don't have a system. Criminals don't like the hassle of a wired house.

As many as 40 percent of break-ins require no "breaking" at all because the homeowners left doors or windows unlocked , according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice.

Police officials said residents should not let the rush and excitement of holiday trips make them a statistic.

Police departments suggest standing outside your house and thinking like a burglar to try to find a way in. Is there a ladder left outside? Even if it's in the backyard or behind a fence, stash it in the garage to be safe.

Does your home entry area offer hiding places such as shrubs that block the view of someone tampering with your locks? Cut them back.

Is there a doggie door that could provide access? Find a way to secure it.

Another suggestion is to ask a trusted neighbor to park in your driveway.

"If they believe the house is lived in or there's someone home, they're not going to break in," said Keith Paul, Henderson Police Department spokesman. "Generally, what's happening is people (crooks) are looking for empty houses or ones where no one is home, so they can break in, take the items and flee as quick as possible."

Contact Summerlin/Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.