Travelling? Here’s how to protect your home and yourself:

Travellers pull suitcases as they walk toward a terminal, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at Boston Logan International Airport, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers is reminding residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes and personal safety if they are travelling during the winter months.

Tips to reduce the risk of crime both at home and abroad:

• Before leaving home, residents are encouraged to make their properties appear occupied. Simple actions such as placing interior lights on timers, arranging for snow removal, and asking a trusted neighbour to check on the property can significantly reduce the risk of break-ins.
• Mail and parcel deliveries should be paused or collected regularly, as overflowing mailboxes can signal that a home is unoccupied.
• Valuables should be kept out of sight, doors and windows locked and secured, and alarm systems activated if available.
• CK Crime Stoppers also recommends that homeowners document valuables by recording serial numbers and taking photographs. This information can be invaluable to police if a theft does occur.
• Exterior lighting should be functional and left on, with motion-activated lights considered as an added deterrent. Residents should also remove items such as ladders, tools, or loose materials from around the property, as these can be used to gain access to a home.

Personal safety:

• When travelling internationally, personal safety and situational awareness are equally important. Travelers should research their destination in advance, including local laws, customs, and areas to avoid.
• Copies of important documents such as passports, identification, and travel insurance should be kept separately from the originals, and a trusted contact at home should be provided with travel details.
• Crime Stoppers advises travelers to remain vigilant in airports, transit hubs, and tourist areas, where theft and fraud are more common. Personal belongings should be kept secure and within sight at all times, and travelers should be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks or sharing personal information.
• Using hotel safes for passports and extra cash can help reduce the risk of loss or theft.