Options to Consider Before You Leave

• Be sure to let someone trustworthy know where you are going, the route you plan to take, when you plan to arrive, and how to contact you. If the plans change let them know that as well. 
• Make sure your house appears “lived-in” while you are away. Lock all your doors and windows, set household lights on timers and consider adding photo cell readers to your exterior lights. 
• If you are unable to get someone to house sit for you while you are gone, try to arrange for someone to periodically check on your home or park a car there. 
• Contact your trustworthy neighbors to keep and extra eye out for you and pick up your mail and newspapers while you are away. If this isn’t an option, contact the post office to hold for pickup. 
• Invest in an alarm. An alarm system lets you, the police, and your neighbors in the area know if someone has invaded your property. 
• Invest in a doorbell camera system. Some manufactures allow you to answer your doorbell from your smart phone and monitor your home while away. 
• Operation Identification (record your valuables by photo and/or safely stored documentation). This includes (serial numbers, models, detailed descriptions, etc.). Burglars commonly steal flat screen televisions, jewelry, electronic systems, firearms, and money. 
• Program your credit card companies lost/stolen phone numbers into your cellphone so you can cancel ASAP if they are lost or stolen on your trip.
  
  
  

 Road Trip Tips

• Always wear your seatbelt when driving. 
• If possible don’t travel alone. 
• Never pick up hitchhikers. 
• Park in well-lit visible areas. 
• If your feeling sleepy pull over at a public area to rest or rotate driving. 
• Don’t drive under the influence of drugs that impair your ability to drive safely, designate. 
• Always lock your car doors. Don’t leave valuables or perceived valuables within in your vehicle. 

 Hotel/Motel Safety

• Use all hotel locks on your door, even when you’re in your room. 
• Store valuables in the room safe. 
• Don’t tell strangers the name of your hotel, your room number, or other personal information. 
• Don’t prop your hotel door or open your door to strangers. Use the peep hole before opening the door. 

 Out on the Town

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Take only what you absolutely need. 
• Keep purses closed and tight against your body. The smaller the purse or no purse the better. 
• Always let someone know where you are going, who you are with, and when you will return. 
• Avoid going off with strangers, use the buddy system. 
• Avoid using alcohol and other drugs. Impaired judgment can put you in potentially dangerous situations.