The Austin Police Department Burglary Unit posted “12 Rules of Christmas” to their Facebook page.

Unfortunately, they posted them as images/graphics, and not in the most public of ways. It’s good information to heed, not just around Christmastime but all year. So, going to transcribe and reprint it here because it’s good stuff.

1. Lock your doors and windows!! A significant number of burglaries are committed by the thief simply opening a window or door that was left unlocked.
2. If travelling over the holidays, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to park their car in your driveway while you are gone to give the appearance that someone is home.
3. Do not hesitate to call 911 if you see someone you don’t recognize in your neighborhood who you don’t recognize or is acting suspiciously. YOU, better than anyone know who and what belongs in YOUR neighborhood. If it doesn’t seem right to you, it probably isn’t!! Police would much rather respond to investigate a suspicious person that is there for legitimate reasons, than to not have you call and officers have to later respond because your home has been burglarized.
4. If someone comes knocking at your door… answer it!! If you don’t feel comfortable opening the door, ask who it is while leaving the door closed. (Thieves will often knock first to see if anyone is home).
5. Keep valuables in your home out of view of those walking/driving by so they don’t invite an unwelcome “visitor”!!
6. Close curtains and/or blinds when not home so that would be thieves can not tell if anyone is home or view what’s inside.
7. Avoid advertising that no one is home. Leave lights on our put them on timers.
8. When travelling, have a family member or trusted friend collect your mail and newspapers so they don’t pile up in your driveway/mailbox.
9. If travelling during the holidays, don’t advertise! Don’t post on Facebook when you’re out of town as there are potentially those that are not your friends that could view your post (“Friends of Friends”, etc.) that can track when you are out of town and take the opportunity to break in.
10. With the purchase of high dollar electronics and other valuables, make sure to not put the boxes out by the trash where a would-be thief can see what are now in your home (X BOX, Stereos, Flat Panel TV’s). Instead, cut the boxes up so they fit in your trash or bag them up after cutting them up.
11. If you have an alarm, use it!!! (Even when leaving for short periods).
12. When loading or unloading large quantities of gifts, use discretion so as to avoid would be thieves being able to take notice of all the property/gifts. This also goes when/if you are packing to leave/travel.

(A Freebie!!!!)

Write down your serial numbers!!!!!! In over 90% of thefts/burglaries, the owner doesn’t know or have access to the serial numbers on their valuables. Take the time to write these down NOW. With valuables that don’t have a serial number (i.e. jewelry), take a photo. Once you’ve written them down, copy the list/photos and keep them in various locations (one at work, one at home, etc.). (HINT: It doesn’t do a lot of good to keep the only list on your computer if the computer is stolen!!!)

Should you have your property stolen, the chances of it being recovered increased dramatically if you can provide serial numbers and/or photos. Without them, it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) for the police to determine who the property belongs to when it is located.

The APD Burglary Unit and the entire Austin Police Department wish you and yours a very safe and joyous holiday season!!

Some additional comments.

1. A couple recent local burglaries happened precisely because people didn’t lock their doors/windows.

4. Very good point. And note, you do NOT have to open the door. Just talk through the door. If you have a nice, big, scary dog, they perhaps can join you in the conversation. 🙂  The person on the other side of the door may try to get you to open the door; use your best judgment and if it doesn’t feel right, trust your gut… even if on the surface it seems wrong (e.g. someone with a sob story). As well, find another angle. If they say they need to be let in to use your phone because their car broke down, tell them you’ll be happy to call 911 or AAA for them (without opening the door). Don’t let them play (prey?) on your emotions and kind heart.

7. In-house lamp timers are good, but consider the exterior as well. You do turn on your exterior lights at night and keep them on all night, right? Remember, cockroaches don’t like light. You can buy replacement switches for exterior lights that are timers and smart enough to know the time, sunrise/sunset, and everything so that your exterior lights go on and off at all the right times. Not only useful to ensure your lights go on and off while you’re away, the fact they’re fully automated all year round frees you from having to deal with them. Automation is good. 🙂

8. You can also contact the delivery services to have them stop delivery. As well, you should have a trusted friend or neighbor regularly check your porch in cas the UPS or FedEx man dropped something off.

11. Yes. Use your alarm. I know so many people with alarm systems on their house and they never use them or are selective in their use. Do you know when someone is going to break into your home? I can’t predict such things, so it’s best to be in the habit of always using your alarm.

Stay safe.