NEWS RELEASE

HUNTSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

815 Wheeler Ave.

Huntsville, Alabama  35801

Holiday Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe

Huntsville, Alabama (December 23, 2008) As the Christmas holiday approaches we know that many of our residents will be traveling out of town to visit family and friends.  Deputy Chief Mark Hudson stated that burglary is often a crime of opportunity so lets work together to make Huntsville a safe place to live by looking out for your neighbors this holiday season. Please report any suspicious activities by calling the Huntsville Police Department at 722-7100.  He would like to remind all citizens of some basic safety tips that can help keep you and your valuables safe during this holiday season.

• Make sure your home looks lived in since most burglars want to avoid confrontation
• Stop mail and newspapers or ask a friend or neighbor to make daily collections
• Hide empty garbage cans or ask a neighbor to move to curb and bring in after collection
• Leave shades and blinds in normal positions
• Put automatic timer on lights and radios (preferably a talk radio show).
• If possible have neighbors randomly park their vehicle in your driveway
• Leave a key with trusted neighbor
• Do not hide keys in a mailbox, under a doormat or planter or anywhere outside
• Store valuables in safe deposit box or take smaller items with you
• Make a record of the serial numbers for your valuable items and take the list with you or store it in your safe deposit box
• Engrave your driver’s license number on the back of all electronics and computers
• Lock all windows and doors
• Double lock windows with inexpensive key locks you can purchase at the store
• Double check garage doors before you leave (unplug or disarm automatic garage door openers if possible)
  • If you are leaving a vehicle at home – do not leave your garage door opener in your vehicle.
• Lock gate to fenced back yards
• Don’t advertise your plans to strangers
• Good locks, simple precautions, neighborly alertness and common sense can help prevent most property crimes
  
  
  Huntsville Police would like to wish everyone a safe holiday season.