Believe it. There are people out there who look forward to the holidays because it gives them a perfect chance to steal your stuff.   

As families load up the SUV and hit the road to grandma and grandpa's place for Thanksgiving and Christmas, criminals are often waiting to take advantage of deserted houses filled with electronics, CDs, jewelry, checkbooks and financial records.

But a winter homecoming filled with heartbreak, anxiety and ransacked rooms can often be avoided by taking a few simple steps, says Keith Wood, director of the Maryville Department of Public Safety.

The key rule, Wood said, is to avoid creating the perception that "nobody's home" by making it appear as though somebody is.

Stop mail and newspaper deliveries or have them picked up daily by a trustworthy friend. Spend a few bucks on electric timers, and set them to make some lights come on in the evening and occasionally play the radio.

If it's supposed to snow while you're gone, Wood suggests arranging to have driveways and sidewalks cleared, which, again, creates the illusion of routine and occupancy.

"As much as possible, you want things to have a lived-in look," he said, adding that it's a good idea to have someone you know and trust check your home each day you're gone. Have them rattle the doorknobs and look for signs of forced entry or other suspicious activity. Provide them with a key, so that, in an emergency, police and other first responders can easily gain entry.

As a service to Maryville citizens, Public Safety officers will periodically check houses while the residents are away. Just call the station at (660) 562-3209, give your address and ask to be put on the house-watch list.

Apartments and houses used by college students are especially vulnerable during the Christmas break, when Northwest Missouri State University takes a nearly month-long break between semesters. Wood said these break-ins often occur because the criminal knows the student and when he or she is going to be out of town.

Students leaving Maryville for an extended period should make arrangements with a friend to check on the residence at least once a day, since burglaries discovered after several days or weeks are much harder to solve.

Burglar alarms and other electronic security devices work, Wood said, though low-tech measures, such as window stops and dead-bolts keyed on both sides, are both affordable and effective.
Security codes for car locks and electric garage door openers are usually secure, Wood said, but some criminals use a device than can capture the code if the perpetrator is close by while you're using the remote.

Be aware of your surroundings, he said, and don't use a garage or car remote if you notice strangers in the immediate vicinity.