Peace of Mind for Your Home While You`re on Vacation

Tips from Travel Expert Lisa Hettinger, of L & L Travel, Champaign TAKE ALONG SOME PEACE OF MIND DID YOU REMEMER TO LOCK THE PATIO DOOR? AND WHOS IN CHARGE OF GETTING THE NEWSPAPER AND MAIL DELIVERY STOPPED? DON`T LET NAGGING DOUBTS ABOUT THE SECURITY OF YOUR HOME RUIN YOUR VACATION. THIS HELPFUL CHECKLIST WILL MAKE SURE YOUR SECURITY STRATEGIES WILL STAY IN FORCE WHILE AWAY. 1. DON`T DISCUSS YOUR TRAVEL PLANS IN PUBLIC PLACES. A STRANGER COULD OVERHEAR YOU, FOLLOW YOU HOME AND RETURN WHEN YOUR ON VACATION. 2. STOP YOUR MAIL,NEWSPAPER, AND OTHER DELIVERIES. 3. ARRANGE TO HAVE YOUR LAWN MOWED (OR SNOW SHOVELED) WHILE AWAY. ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR TO SET OUT YOUR TRASH ON COLLECTION DAY AND RETRIEVE THE SAME DAY. 4. LEAVE A NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED WITH THE NEIGHBOR WHOS WATCHING YOUR HOUSE, AND YOUR MONITOR SYSTEM IF YOU HAVE AN ALARM. 5. NEVER LEAVE A MESSAGE ON YOUR ANSWERING MACHINE THAT YOUR AWAY AND THEN PROVIDE ANOTHER NUMBER. INSTEAD, CALL IN TO RETRIEVE YOUR MESSAGES. 6. SET TIMERS FOR YOUR LIGHTS, AND A RADIO OR TV TO COME ON. 7. ARRANGE TO HAVE A NEIGHBOR PARK IN YOUR DRIVEWAY, OR IF LEAVE YOUR CAR HOME, PARK IT IN THE DRIVEWAY INSTEAD OF THE GARAGE AND HAVE YOUR NEIGHBOR TO MOVE IT FROM TIME TO TIME. UNPLUG YOUR AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENER. 8. IN THE SUMMER SET YOUR A/C TO A HIGHER TEMP BUT DON`T TURN OFF. 9. LEAVE SHADES AND BLINDS IN THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS. BURGLARS ARE ATTRACTED TO WINDOWS THAT REMAIN COVERED NIGHT AND DAY. 10. IF YOUR FLYING USE LUGGAGE TAGS THAT CONCEAL YOUR STREET ADDRESS. 11. BEFORE YOU LOCK THE FRONT DOOR, TAKE ONE LAST TOUR OF THE HOUSE TO MAKE SURE ALL WINDOWS ARE LOCKED AND THE ALARM SYSTEM IS CORRECLTY ARMED. AFTER ALL THAT PREPARATION YOU`LL NEED A VACATION!