Through this holiday season of travel and vacation, we often times forget to make our homes safe and secure. Expensive home alarms and security cameras are not necessary. Here are some tips for homeowners who want some peace of mind before locking up their house doors.

1. Talk to your neighbors

Before traveling, let a neighbor you trust know that you will be away and ask them to keep an eye on your property. That may mean taking out and bringing in the garbage, checking the mail, grabbing the newspaper and safekeeping packages that are delivered in your absence. If you don’t have a neighbor you trust, talk to a friend or family member who can stop by.

2. Put your lights on a timer

This is a simple but necessary tip. Most robbers will “case” a target before making a move and a home that looks empty is a prime target. It’s not necessary to keep a light on in a main room but rather an upstairs or side room that isn’t easy to see from the street or yard. If you can set timers in different rooms for different times that’s even better.

3. Close your shades

Use your window treatments to cover your windows so it’s not easy for robbers to peek in. Without drapes someone can see into your home from a car in the street but with light window coverings it’s not so easy.

4. Lock everything

Double check all doors and windows if already closed. Use a wood dowel to secure sliding glass doors. Close up doggy doors. Lock outside gates and interior doors such as one from the garage. You’ve quickly and easily deterred lazy burglars.

5. Clear your yard of clutter

Make sure all leaves are picked up and your lawn is freshly mowed before you leave. It’s another way to signal your occupancy.