CREDIT: THINKSTOCK
The holiday season is one of the most common times for burglars to strike, especially if you live in a neighbourhood with a high percentage of students; keep your house safe with these tips.

The holidays are a time of celebrating, gathering with loved ones and spreading goodwill. But it can also be a time for burglaries, an aspect that many people do not think about when leaving for the holidays. It's important to know how to keep your house or apartment secure so that robberies don't take place and you aren't afraid to leave your residence when visiting with family and friends.

Safety is paramount when it comes to securing your home. Exams and projects take a lot of time and energy, but you must take into consideration a few things before and after you finish exams, especially if your home is going to be empty for a few weeks.

Glen Matthews, housing mediation officer for both Western and Fanshawe, said, “The best thing students can do is not make their home look like a student rental because student rentals are targeted. If there is garbage out front, they have flags in the window, they have mail piling up in the mailbox and they don't have anyone shovelling the snow in the walkway or drive way.”

Matthews recommended checking the Police Crime Map to determine if you are living in a high crime area. If you live in an area with a high percentage, you are more likely to be robbed.

Ask your landlord about trimming hedges, bushes or trees around the property; keeping these areas tidy prevents burglars from hiding. Also, have someone shovel the driveway and check the mail while you are away to give the impression someone is still there throughout the holidays.

Matthews suggested having lights hooked up to a timer to give the illusion there is still activity in the house. You can also hook the television and radio to a timer as an alternative. Timers can cost less than $10 at a hardware store like Canadian Tire or Home Hardware.

What people can also do is observe their residence, garage and basement to look for any broken windows, doors or locks. Burglars are most likely to break into a house if there is a window next to the door. Sliding doors are also susceptible to break-ins. Try placing a broom handle or a sawed off hockey stick in the indoor base of a sliding door. This prevents enabling a burglar to slide open the door.

Getting to know other residents living next door, or having someone you trust spend the time in your place while you are away is a good idea. Hiding a key under the doormat is too obvious; instead give a spare key to a good friend or neighbour and request that they visit daily to collect mail or check-up to make sure nothing unusual is happening.

Alternatively, the issue of mail can be handled another way. Ask the post office to hold your mail while on vacation or ask magazine and newspaper subscriptions to place a hold on your deliveries until you return.

Often overlooked is social media. While announcing your vacation after finals is fun, avoid announcing it on Facebook (or posting on Instagram) and telling too many people. Let your photographs and memories speak for themselves when you return.

Lastly, advertise a security company protecting your home. Keep the company sticker in a very noticeable place, such as by the door or in a window. This will scare away burglars and deter robbers from choosing your residence and neighbouring houses if they know there is a communal neighbourhood watch committee in the area.

For more information with checking your neighbourhood crime statistics, check out police.london.ca. Glen Matthews serves both UWO and Fanshawe College and can be reached at the housing mediation service in the Student Success Centre (F2010). The Student Success Centre provides information to help students, landlords and neighbours with issues around living in the London community.