Crime & Safety

Police: What To Do Before Leaving for Vacation

Baltimore County Police advise residents to avoid announcing vacation plans in social media such as Facebook and Twitter, among other things.

Packing isn't the only thing you should be worried about when you go on vacation, including this long Memorial Day weekend.

The Baltimore County Police Department urges residents to do the following, according to a police statement:

  • Lock all windows and doors. Start from the top of your home and work your way down. Don’t forget the basement.
  • Secure all outdoor furniture or better yet, place it in a garage, shed or basement. This also includes outdoor grills.
  • Lock sheds and garages.
  • Set light timers both inside and out. The sun goes down around 8:00 p.m. so why not set the timer for 7:30 p.m. And if the weather looks a little iffy, set the timer for an earlier time.
  • Have a neighbor take in your mail and newspaper. Newspapers littering the front yard are a sure way to tell the world you are away.
  • Leave an address or phone number with a neighbor or relative so you can be reached in case of emergency.
  • Do not announce your travel plans on social media. Talk about your trip when you return.

Do you have any travel tips to add? How about tips for safety on the road? Go ahead and mention them in the comments section, below this article.

Find out what's happening in Pikesvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Pikesville