With summer fast approaching, I thought it would be a good time to revisit some tips for keeping your home burglary-free while you're enjoying some much needed time away.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), the best way to keep burglars away from your home is to make it appear like you are in fact home.

In addition to putting timers on your internal and external house lights, you can:

• Have a trusted friend or neighbor pick up your mail and newspaper while you're gone. If you'll be gone for a long period of time, call the post office or go online to have them hold your mail until you return.


• Keep second-story blinds and drapes open.


• Arrange for someone to mow your lawn and keep the bushes trimmed while you're away.


• Have a neighbor park a car in your driveway or in front of your house.

While creating the illusion that you're home will help keep burglars and vandals away, you should also take extra precautions to keep intruders from entering your home.

You can foil burglars by:

• Making sure all windows and doors in your home are locked.


• Removing valuables from first-floor living rooms, as they may attract burglars who are surveying your home from outside.


• Keeping shrubs and bushes trimmed, eliminating any potential hiding spots.


• Installing motion lights in front of your house and in back.


• Installing electronic burglar alarms to alert authorities of a break-in while you're gone.

Of course, you'll want to review your home insurance policy to make sure it covers damage and loss to your valuables in the event of a burglary. If you have questions about what your policy covers, make sure you call your agent before you leave for your relaxing vacation—you really won't want any unpleasant surprises when you get home. And while you shouldn't be overly paranoid about leaving your home in the summer, some simple preparation can really go a long way.