As you get ready for any vacations or trips you may be planning for, remember to cover your bases at home too.

Kamloops RCMP are reminding the community to keep their homes safe this holiday season as residents head out of town for day trips or even tropical getaways.

Corporal Dana Napier, Kamloops RCMP Crime Prevention Unit, says “as you’re working on planning your getaway, take the time to review and incorporate crime prevention strategies for when you’re away.”

The Corporal also says “remember that little things such as posting you’re on vacation to social media can potentially open the door to thieves looking to capitalize on your absence.”

A residential break in can happen fast and ruin any holiday celebration quickly, so the Kamloops Police have offered a few tips to ensure the safety of ones home as much as possible.

Some of the tips include, but are not limited to:
– Close and lock all windows each time you leave your home.
– If you have an alarm, be sure to set it before you leave home.
– Do not keep ladders or tools on the outside of your home. If it can be used to gain entry into your home, keep it locked up and out of sight.
– Don’t leave empty cartons in your carport, yard or driveway. You are advertising the fact you have a brand new flat screen TV, laptop, iPad or other very desirable object to steal.
– Make sure your house number is visible during the day and night. In an emergency you want emergency crews to find your house number as soon as possible.

A full list of the tips can be found online here .

Lastly, for those staying home, if you see something, say something. Always report suspicious activity to the police.