From a letter sent out by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department dated Wednesday, November 25, 2009, below are tips for home safety through the holiday season.

1. Make sure your home is well lit. Turn on outside lights, spotlights, motions lights, etc. Leave several lights on timers while you are away to give your home that lived in look.
2. Remove anything a burglar could climb up on to gain entry or use to knock out a window or door; items such as ladders, tools, tables, and chairs.
3. Don’t leave garage roll down doors open, even while you are home or while you are doing yard work.
4. Use a deadbolt lock to secure your doors.
5. If you are going away contact a trusted neighbor or friend to pick up your mail, newspaper and other delivered items.
6. Try not to leave gifts in open view. This is an invitation to burglars.
7. Don’t advertise new gifts or purchases. Break up cartons before leaving them at the curb or dispose of them another way the morning of trash pick up.
8. Don’t forget to engrave new gifts or purchases with your driver’s license number.
9. Don’t open your door to strangers. Be wary of solicitors and salespersons. If a stranger asks to use your telephone, tell them to stay outside, lock the door behind you and make the call for them. Never let a stranger inside your home.
10. Don’t give any information about yourself or your neighbor to a stranger.

Please be safe and have a very Happy Holiday season!