Summer break-in time

Preventing burglaries and other home-related crimes is just as important during the summer as any other time of the year.

In the summer, people are more likely to leave the windows and doors of their homes open. Yet these are the first places thieves try to gain access. Several burglaries in the Los Angeles area recently have been reported by victims who simply left the door unlocked while they puttered around the yard or went out for “just a few minutes.”

How to avoid being vulnerable? First, use common sense. Leaving valuables on display, such as your good jewelry, laptop computer or fancy camera, is never a good idea. When items are purchased in boxes, don’t leave the packaging out on the curb to advertise your new acquisitions. Cut the boxes into pieces and recycle if possible.

When you go on vacation, suspend newspaper and mail delivery. The post office will hold your mail until you return or can forward it to another address. To arrange this, go online to www.usps.com and click “receiving mail.” There is no charge for the service. Mail can be held a minimum of three days and up to 30 days.

Whether you’re going out of town or just out for an evening, consider using electric timers, which are inexpensive and worth the time to set up. Connect a table or floor lamp on a timer by the front door. Keep your place looking occupied as much as possible. Timers also can control a radio or television to supply that “lived in” sound effect.

Not going away? Everyday fraud and credit protection should always be in your plans. Your delivered mail should never be tossed into the trash. A thief can grab a bank statement out of the garbage and have access to private information. Destroy documents using a paper shredder; shredders are inexpensive.

Don’t forget to shred unwanted credit card offers.

Better yet, stop them from arriving in the first place. Stemming the flow of offers is easy. Call (888) 5-OPTOUT (567-8688) to have your name removed from direct marketing lists, including credit card offers. You can also opt out for free at OptOutPreScreen.com, the consumer credit reporting industry website.

Although nothing is foolproof, common sense and a little bit of consumer information go a long way toward protecting your valuables.

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