Minyards Properties, Inc.

This is for those of you who may be planning a trip soon or who may travel frequently. You want to leave your home with a ''lived in'' appearance. Do not stop your mail or paper unless you have no other choice. Have a friend or neighbor stop by and pick them up for you. This does not mean that mail carriers are thieves, it just means that the fewer people that know you are away, the better. Have neighbors turn on outside and interior lights at night or put them on a timer. Don't adjust your blinds differently. Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway and turn off the power to your garage door opener. Before you leave, stop by the police department and fill out a vacation house watch request. While you are away the police officer assigned to the district your home is in will stop by and check the security of it. You will be asked to provide information on how to be contacted in case of an emergency. Ask your neighbors to immediately report any suspicious activity to the police.