How to Burglar-Proof Your Apartment While on Vacation

Buy automatic timers and hook them up to lights and anything that can be turned on to make it look like a person is home. Set the timers to turn things on during the evening and late night hours, then set them to turn off the items off throughout the night, so it looks like people have gone to sleep.

Turn a radio on and set it to a talk station. Set it to a low volume and keep it in a living room or entertainment area so it seems like someone is watching or listening to some type of programming.

Do not publicize the vacation. While it has gotten a lot easier to share what is going on in one's life through online social networks, talking about a vacation where a house will be left unoccoupied for a certain amount of time is dangerous.

Do not rely on a dog to keep a home safe. Even though some dogs are good at keeping unfamiliar people at bay, a good burglar may carry treats or something to distract the dog from its job. A dog may also enjoy the extra attention of a person if it is only checked on by a caretaker every couple days.

Check the doors. The most common ways for burglars to break into a home are through the front, back or garage doors. Since an apartment generally only has a front door, it is the only way to get in other than windows if on the ground level or a lower floor.

Check the sturdiness of the door and make sure the locks, handles and other components are working properly. Doors made of metal or solid wood provide the best defense, says Burglaryprevention.org. Ask the landlord to make necessary changes if safety is at risk.

Check windows as well to make sure the locks are working and they are securely shut.

Tell trusted neighbors about the vacation. Ask them to listen for or report any suspicious noises coming from the apartment or suspicous people who may be near the apartment. Talking to the people living next door, as well as above and below you if you know them well, increases the chance someone will hear a noise if the apartment is broken into.