hoods better to tell their stories than - Allegheny West Magazine
hoods better to tell their stories than - Allegheny West Magazine
hoods better to tell their stories than - Allegheny West Magazine
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Don’t Leave Out a Burglar Welcome Mat, Part 2<br />
Whether on a weeklong trip or simply stepping out for an errand, you<br />
should be sure <strong>to</strong> secure your home carefully before leaving. Smart day<strong>to</strong>-day<br />
practices paired with precautions ahead of any travel can help<br />
keep your home – and all of its valuable contents – safe and sound.<br />
To help safeguard your home and make it less inviting <strong>to</strong> burglars, here<br />
is part two of recommended safety tips:<br />
6. Have your mail held at the post office when you leave <strong>to</strong>wn.<br />
Full mailboxes make it clear <strong>to</strong> burglars that no one is home. S<strong>to</strong>p<br />
newspaper delivery and ask a friend or neighbor <strong>to</strong> pick up any<br />
packages or flyers left outside.<br />
7. Keep your garage door locked. Locking the garage door is as<br />
important as locking the front door, especially if the garage is attached.<br />
Once inside the garage, a burglar can work uninterrupted – often, with<br />
<strong>to</strong>ols s<strong>to</strong>red in the garage – at getting in<strong>to</strong> the house.<br />
8. Keep your travel plans on the down low. Although it may be hard<br />
not <strong>to</strong> brag <strong>to</strong> friends about that long-awaited vacation via social media,<br />
38 <strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> September/Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2012<br />
BY JEFF MYERS<br />
thieves have been known <strong>to</strong> use these sites <strong>to</strong> target victims while they’re<br />
away. Offline, don’t <strong>tell</strong> strangers or casual acquaintances that you’re going<br />
out of <strong>to</strong>wn. You’d be surprised how quickly news spreads.<br />
9. Join a neighborhood watch program or consider starting one.<br />
These programs are designed by and for local community residents <strong>to</strong> help<br />
ensure the safety of all those living in the area. They can help keep your<br />
neighborhood homes safe.<br />
10. Create a home inven<strong>to</strong>ry. Take the time <strong>to</strong> complete an inven<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
record of your personal property and document details. Whenever possible,<br />
include pho<strong>to</strong>s, video, written descriptions, serial numbers, or other specifics.<br />
For example, the free Allstate® Digital LockerTM (available online at<br />
DigitalLocker.com and as a mobile application for iPhone, iPod Touch and<br />
Android) can help easily compile and securely s<strong>to</strong>re the information in an<br />
online cloud-based database.<br />
Remember, you should use these tips as guidelines in addition <strong>to</strong> your own<br />
experience and judgment based on conditions.<br />
This information is provided courtesy of Jeff Myers, agency owner, Myers Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. Contact him at (412) 787-0710 or by<br />
e-mail, jeffmyers@allstate.com<br />
Learning Curves is provided as a service <strong>to</strong> advertisers of <strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> <strong>to</strong> share educational and/or informational knowledge with the readership. To inquire, call (724) 695-3968.
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