Preventing crime during family travel starts with making sure your home is protected while you're away. The key is to make it look like you never left:

• Keep shades and blinds in their normal positions.

• Stop mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbor to pick them up every day.

• Put several household lights on timers so they turn on and off at appropriate times.

• Arrange to have grass mowed (or snow shoveled) while you're gone.

• Make sure all your door and window locks are in working order - and use them.

• Activate your home alarm (if you have one).

• You might even leave a radio on - or put it on a timer.

• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway overnight - anything that might suggest someone's home.

• And don't forget to lock all doors and windows when you leave.

It’s a good idea when going on vacation, if at all possible, load up your vehicle while it is in your garage with the overhead door closed. This way fewer people are likely to know you are leaving. If this is not possible, try to load your vehicle as inconspicuously as possible. Tell a trusted neighbor you will be gone, and ask them to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

Never leave your garage door opener on your visor when you valet your car locally or at a "park and fly" location when traveling. The vehicle registration in your glove compartment contains your address and the garage door opener provides easy access.