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Crime & Safety

Statham Neighborhood Watch Meeting to Address Summer Vacation Dangers

The May 17 meeting will provide residents with tips on how to keep their homes safe while traveling.

All eyes are on the calendar for the official start to summer vacation in Barrow County.

Once school lets out Wednesday, May 23, countless Statham residents will begin packing their suitcases and hitting the highway for some much-needed fun in the sun. Unfortunately, while we turn our eyes to the road or some distant shore, a criminal’s eyes might be watching our property, keenly aware that home sweet home may be empty for a few days to weeks at a time during the summer months.

To that end, the will host a vacation planning Neighborhood Watch Meeting at at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 17. The meeting is designed to help residents plan ahead to keep their property safe while they are away.

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For those who are unable to attend the meeting, State Farm Insurance Company has pulled together the following tips in their educational article, “Keep Your Home Protected While On Vacation”:

  1. Set timers on interior and exterior lights to deter burglars. No lights may signal that no one is home.
  2. Do not post vacation status updates on Facebook or Twitter. If you check in hundreds of miles away or post a photo of your freshly-painted toes in front of an expanse of ocean, you will be broadcasting that you are far away from home. Wait until you return to post photos and let everyone know what a wonderful time you had.
  3. Alert your alarm company that you will be away and set the alarm when you leave.
  4. Secure your valuables. Don’t leave anything of value — purses, laptops, etc. — in plain sight. You may even want to consider putting fine jewelry and smaller valuables in a safe deposit box.
  5. Check and double-check to make sure all doors and windows are locked.
  6. Stop mail and newspaper deliveries, or have a neighbor drop by to pick them up. A pile of newspapers at the doorstep and jam-packed mailbox are easy clues for prospective robbers that you are away.
  7. Don’t leave a spare key outside, no matter how great you think your hiding place is. 

Long story short, before you say “bon voyage” make sure to follow these few simple steps to keep your home and belongings safe while you enjoy your well-deserved vacation.

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Barrow Patch wishes you and your family happy and safe travels!

Has your home been robbed while you were away on vacation? If so, what did you learn from the experience and what advice would you give to other homeowners? Tell us in comments. 

Check back every Wednesday for a new City Spotlight on Statham.

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