Galena Police Department

Vacation Safety Tips

Your vacation should be a pleasant experience for you and your family.  Take a few simple steps to reduce the possibility of becoming a victim of a burglary or other criminal acts against your home. The time spent preparing your home for vacation could save you money later. Before you leave for your trip:

• Notify local police of the departure and return dates of your trip and provide the name and telephone number of a neighbor or relative to notify in the event of an emergency.  
• Place a “vacation hold” on newspaper subscriptions, mail delivery and include the start and ending dates. 
• Ask a neighbor to pick up newspapers and mail if the “vacation hold” was not followed.  Ask them to remove throwaway papers and circulars from the doorway and mailbox.   
• Place interior lights and a radio on timers to give the appearance that the home is occupied. 
• Have front exterior lights on photocells that activate in the evening and shut off at daybreak. 
• Notify neighbors of your absence and encourage them to contact the police regarding any suspicious activity at your home. 
• Arrange to have the grass cut and watered, leaves raked and the sidewalk and driveway shoveled during the winter.  
• Remove all tools, lawn implements, garbage cans and yard furniture to the garage, basement or shed.  
• Unplug all non-essential electrical appliances such as computers, fans, televisions, irons, washer and dryers to avoid damage from electrical storms.  
• Be sure the sump pump is functioning properly and free from debris to avoid basement flooding.  
• Set the home thermostat at a reasonable temperature-85 degrees in the summer and 50 degrees in the winter.  
• Make sure all entry points into the home are secure.  
• Close the fireplace flue to prevent birds and animals from entering. 
• If you have an alarm system, leave a current list of contacts with the alarm company in case of system activations. 
• Disconnect the electric garage door opener and lock the garage door.  
• Be sure all vehicles left at home are locked and remove all valuables.