They may seem like simple reminders but there are some things homeowners often forget to do before they travel that could save them from becoming victims of a crime.

Lt. Cindy Kilgore joined us with a special Crime Watch. She says one of the most common mistakes is not using the tools you have in your home.

“A series of burglaries I had years ago, several of them had the alarms, but they weren’t armed,” Lt. Cindy Kilgore Says.

Here are some other tips from Lt. Kilgore:

• The average burglary happens in under 10 minutes, make your home difficult to break into.


• Keep all doors and windows locked.


• Keep garage doors closed.


• Make your home look occupied, lights on timers.


• Keep valuable items out of sight and well hidden.


• Keep an inventory of valuable items, record serial numbers, mark what you can.


• Keep trees and shrubs around doors and windows trimmed.


• Use outside lights around potential points of entry.


• For an extended absence have grass cut, snow plowed, mail collected.


• Report suspicious persons or vehicles, record license numbers.


• If you come home to find a burglary, do not enter, do not clean anything.


• Don't post your vacation/travel plans on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter.