Five factors to consider when you leave for vacation

(ARA) - With warmer weather and breaks in school, families are hitting the skies and roadways for an often much-needed vacation. Even amid the recession, the travel industry predicts that there will be a significant increase in tourism in 2010, which means more vacant homes for longer periods of time.

Burglars are known to actively seek out homes when they believe the owners are away, so following a few simple steps before you vacate your home can often help prevent a crime. Below are a few things criminals look for when considering your home as a potential target, all of which are sure signs that your family is away.

Mail and paper - A stack of mail in the mailbox or newspapers in the driveway are a dead giveaway that no one is home to tend to these daily tasks. Contact the U.S. Post Office and put a hold on your mail, and do the same with your newspaper providers. This can often be done online, and not only saves you the risk of appearing on vacation to criminals, but makes sorting through the mail and papers when you return from your trip much more manageable.

Lights - A house that sits dark for days is a clear target for potential looters, so purchase an inexpensive lamp timer at a home improvement store and set it for various times while you are away. A burglar is far less likely to assume your home is empty if a light inside is on. Be sure to position your curtain in such a way that the light is visible from the outside, but trespassers cannot easily see in.

Yard - Another surefire way for criminals to tell that you're away is an overgrown landscape. A well-manicured lawn takes time and tending, which both indicate to an intruder that you are in fact home. Hire a landscaping company or a neighborhood teenager to take care of your yard while you're away. Not only will it help keep your house safe, it will make home maintenance much easier when you return.

Alarm - Many home alarm companies offer options such as wireless alarm and key monitors and motion detectors. A home security system is one of the best ways to help prevent a break-in. Burglars are often deterred by the yard signs and potential noise that comes with a monitored security system. Most modern systems even monitor for flood or fire damage as well, which adds even more protection. The marginal cost of owning an alarm system is greatly outweighed by the cost of restoring a home and property after a break in or unforeseen accident.

Key - When away on vacation, never leave a key hidden anywhere outside your home. Criminals are well versed on common hiding spots and can find almost any easy-to-access hiding spot. If you must leave a key in case of emergency, entrust it to a neighbor or friend instead of the outdoors, where any intruder can easily locate it.

A burglary happens in the U.S. about once every 14.9 seconds, or more than 6,000 times a day. Take a little extra time to ensure your home doesn't become part of this statistic, and to guarantee that your return home is stress free.

Courtesy of ARAcontent