Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

Thanksgiving signals the beginning of the holiday season and starts the period when many of us will be traveling.  Here are a couple of hints to help you identify what you can do with lighting to project the idea that your home is occupied should a burglar look your way.  Many people do a good job using timers to create the impression of occupancy.  Sadly, other people make a valiant try using timers to operate lights, but fall short of achieving the look of occupancy.

You should do a "does it look occupied?" check on your home now that the darker winter hours are here.  This check has two parts:

• First, take a good look around the next time you are out in your neighborhood around dinner time.  Which houses look occupied or unoccupied?  You will quickly categorize most of the houses or apartments, perhaps coming up with some in an unknown category.  That's the easy part of the check.  Think like a burglar and pick out targets of opportunity.


• Second, verbalize the reasons why you put a house or apartment into the chosen category.  I suspect your decision will be based--almost totally--on which lights are turned on.  You will probably be amazed at how many lights are turned on in the normal house.  I was somewhat surprised to find that bedroom lights are generally turned on during the workweek.  I suspect that is because people often want to change into more comfortable clothes for the evening.  Lights also blaze in living rooms, kitchen, and recreation rooms.


• Finally, make the same critical check on your own home.  Making another "does it look occupied?" check around bedtime should help establish the usual pattern of turning off the lights.

Here's how to play it safe during the holidays...

WHILE SHOPPING--Your best protection is to make theft as difficult as possible.  Even thieves know that the harder you make it for them, the better the chance that they will be caught.  The bigger their risk, the better the chance they will pass you by.

Carrying large sums of money is bad news, especially if a thief sees you flashing large amounts of cash.  Credit cards can be more convenient and safer than cash, but only if you use them wisely.  Don't carry more credit cards than you plan to use, and keep up-to-date records of the card numbers.  Should you lose a card, it's important to notify the credit card company immediately.

A purse is an easy target for a thief if it's carelessly carried.  Carry it under your arm whenever possible.  Be especially careful of your purse when carrying too many packages.  Consider whether you could safely use a coin purse with identification and your credit cards rather than even carry a purse.  Putting that and your keys in a pocket (maybe with a safety pin across the opening) would make shopping much easier as well as safer.

Keep your wallet safe from pickpockets by carrying it in an inside jacket pocket or front trouser pocket.  Be aware of anyone bumping into you and look out for "staged" events.  Often pickpockets attempt to distract their victims so they won't notice their wallet being taken.

Lock you valuables in the trunk of your car.  Displaying items inside the car where they can be seen easily is asking for trouble.  Make it a habit to always lock your car doors--even if you're gone for just a few minutes!  Never leave it running!

Try to coordinate your shopping trips with a friend if you plan to be out late.  There is truth to the old adage:  "there's safety in numbers."

WHILE TRAVELING....Take some precautionary measures.  If you are driving, have a mechanic thoroughly check your vehicle to make sure it is road worthy.  Inspect the brakes, brake fluid, tires, hoses, and belts.  Make sure the battery, lights, and windshield wipers are in good working order, too.  Schedule the auto check-up at least a week before you leave so that it doesn't get overlooked in the last minute rush.

If you are flying, keep your tickets and money secure.  Stay alert and try not to let your children or the commotion distract you.  It only takes a second's distraction to provide an opportunity for a thief to steal your purse or carry-on items.  If you look alert, the thief is very likely to leave you alone because a more likely victim will surely present him/herself.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME...Let a trusted neighbor know that you will be away and how you can be reached.  Ask them to be extra alert, keeping an eye on your home for suspicious persons.  Ask the neighbor to pick up newspapers, mail, and any UPS packages that might be delivered.  Have them periodically park their car in your driveway.  Make your house look lived in by using timers to imitate your usual household activity.