Use These Tips and Enjoy the Weekend

With Memorial Day here, many of us take advantage of the three-day weekend to worship the sun at the beach to celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer.

To make the holiday weekend as safe and secure as possible, Baltimore County Police Department officials have issued a common-sense checklist of things to do (and not to do) before you leave on your much-deserved (and probably much-needed) get-away:

• 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 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. With social media sites like Facebook being popular means of communication, announcing your vacation plans publicly tells thieves where houses are empty and for how long.

Have a great holiday weekend and then send your pictures to Dundalk Patch — whether you to go to the beach, camp in the mountains or just enjoy a backyard cookout with family members and friends!