The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit is encouraging the public to follow some simple, common-sense safety tips to ensure their home is secure while they are on vacation.

The tips include:

– Ask your friends or neighbors to keep an eye on your property and report suspicious activity to police; an occasional walk around the home to make sure all doors and windows are secure is helpful.

– Do not advertise to burglars you are not home by leaving garbage cans and recycling bins out by the curb once trash day is over.

– Put a hold on your newspaper and mail delivery.

– Wait until you get home before sharing pictures and posts on social media; the whole world does not need to know your home is vacant.

– Make your home look occupied by investing in timers to turn on exterior and interior lights and a television or radio for a few hours every evening.

– Place valuables like weapons, cash and jewelry in a safe and secure location just in case you have unwanted visitors.

– If you leave your car parked in the driveway, take the garage remote control inside and place it in a secure location, along with your keys.

For more information, call the Crime Prevention Unit at 239-258-3280.

To report a fraud or scam, call the LCSO fraud line at 239-258-3292.

Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office Crime