LA Auto Club Offers Tips for Keeping Home Safe During Vacation

LOS ANGELES--July 22, 2004--While summer is the most popular time for vacations, it can also provide more opportunities for home break-ins. The Automobile Club of Southern California reminds vacationers that taking a few simple precautions can reduce the risk of home burglary.

"Residential burglaries are most likely to occur if the residence appears to be unoccupied and if access seems relatively easy," said Ron Lovatt, managing director of insurance products for the Auto Club's Interinsurance Exchange. "Homeowners can take a few simple steps to help deter burglars."

The Auto Club offers the following tips to help keep your home safe while you're vacationing: -- Double-check all door and window locks, and invest in slide lock protection for sliding-glass doors, a frequent point of entry for burglars. Garage windows and doors should also be secured. -- Ask a trusted friend to stop by your home at different times if possible while you are away, or to be a house sitter. Ask them to turn on lights at night, or consider buying a light timer set for every evening. Setting up multiple timers in alternating rooms works best. Radio timers are also a good idea. -- Temporarily cancel newspaper subscriptions and postpone mail delivery. -- Engrave your name on your large valuables. It makes them less attractive to burglars, and also assists with quicker identification if they are stolen and recovered. -- Consider installing an alarm system, which can serve not only as protection but may qualify you for a discount on your homeowner's insurance. -- Consider parking your second vehicle in your driveway while you are away. If you will be away for more than a week, ask a friend to change the position of the car a few times during your absence. -- Remove garage door openers from cars parked outside. -- Move expensive electronic equipment away from the windows where it is easily visible. -- Don't give your house a "closed-down" look by completely shutting drapes and blinds. -- Make certain your homeowners insurance is paid and the policy suits your current needs. -- Arrange for lawn service if your trip will be longer than one week. -- Never leave spare keys "hidden" under doormats or anywhere outside the house. -- If you're departing from a local airport, don't expose personal addresses on your luggage tags. Use a business address instead.

The Auto Club also advises travelers to use caution with their personal belongings while they are away: -- Use the hotel safe to store valuable items instead of leaving them lying around your hotel room. -- Keep the entry and balcony doors locked and use deadbolts and chains whenever possible. -- Don't open the door to anyone. Even if a hotel repairman shows up, call the front desk to verify that a repairman has been sent. -- Don't leave keys lying around when you're at the beach or pool. -- On the road, don't leave valuables inside the car where they can be seen. -- Always lock your car doors, even if you will be gone just for a few minutes. -- At night, park in a lighted, visible place. If someone seems to be following you as you walk to your car, walk past it and find help.

The Auto Club offers additional travel safety guidelines on its Web site (www.aaa.com) under "travel services." Consumers may also request quotes for homeowners insurance at the Auto Club's Web site.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance, insurance services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.