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Spring breakers should prepare homes
University Chronicle
EDITORIAL BOARD
The issue: Spring break begins Friday and many people around SCSU will be leaving for vacation.
What we think: Vacationers need to take proper precautions at home and away to ensure safety.
By Friday evening, the SCSU campus and surrounding neighborhoods will most likely look like a ghost town. Spring break will have sprung, and many students, faculty and staff will be heading to various destinations for a little rest and vacation.
But are the people heading out of town ready to combat any safety concerns that might arise during break?
Miles Heckendorn, director of Public Safety Department, released tips for a safe and secure spring break Wednesday. The tips include residence safety and security, safety in the workplace and personal safety and security tips.
While emphasis about spring break safety is usually focused on how to stay safe on trips, the PSD tip sheet offers ideas how to ensure the safety of a place you might not think about during break: home.
Vacationers should remember not to leave valuables in plain sight in their vehicles. Passers-by may see an opportunity to break into a car that has been, seemingly, out of use for a few days. If spring breakers have friends who are staying in St. Cloud during break, they should have them drive their car for a few minutes each day to make it look like someone is using it regularly.
Spring breakers need to make sure all doors and windows are locked. The shades on all windows should be down and deadbolts on doors should be in place.
People who leave their houses should use timers on the lights in their homes. This makes it look like someone is home at night. They should not have the answering machine say that they are out of town. Leaving an outgoing message that says they aren't available to take a call makes it seem like people are home.
Removing all valuables from vacationers' homes during vacation will ensure that even if their homes are broken into, these valuables will not be stolen. They can store things such as stereos, jewelry, TVs, DVD players and computers at a friend's house. If that is impossible, mark valuables with identifying marks or register them with the police department.
Vacationers who use these tips should have a worry-free spring break where they can enjoy the time away.
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