The Lee County Sheriff’s Office offered the following Crime Alert Tudsday:

With summer comes an increase in home and car burglaries. These thieves often get in through open and unlocked windows, doors and garage doors.

Home Protection Tips:

* Keep doors, including the garage door, locked at all times – even when you are home or working in the yard.

* Install security doors for exterior doors.

* Don’t hide keys under the doormat or rocks.

* Secure sliding glass doors with anti-lift devices.

* Close and lock first floor windows at night and whenever you are gone.

* Keep the outside well-lit with motion detector lights and automatic dusk-to-dawn timers.

* Use electric timers to turn on inside lights at night.

Car Protection Tips:

* Lock your car – 50% of stolen cars are unlocked.

* Take your keys with you and never hide a second set of keys in the car.

* Park in well-lighted areas. If you have a garage, use it.

* Never leave the car running and unattended.

* Don’t keep purses, checkbooks, briefcases, laptops, GPS units, etc. in plain view.

* Carry your registration and insurance card in your wallet, not in the car once they have your address, thieves can take your garage door opener (and even keys found in your car) and let themselves into your home.

* Consider investing in a car security system and/or anti-theft device.

Engrave all of your electronics, tools and other valuables with your Florida Driver’s License Number and record the model and serial numbers so if they are stolen you can identify your items.

For assistance call the Sheriff’s Office CASE Fraud Line: 239-477-1242