Nobody wants to come back from vacation to discover they’ve been robbed! But if you appear to still be at home, the likelihood of being targeted is dramatically reduced. Here are 5 simple ways to cause burglars to move on when you’re away from home:

1. Leave window blinds in their usual position, or open them.
2. Have mail, newspapers, and packages picked up by a neighbor, forwarded or held by the post office until you return.
3. Have your lawn mowed (or driveway shoveled) while you’re away.
4. Use automatic timers to turn lights on and off in various parts of the house at different times of the evening.
5. Tell dependable neighbors when you plan to be away so they can keep an eye out.

These tips will go a long way to helping you have peace of mind, enjoy yourself more, and prevent you from the hassle of filing an insurance claim.