Now that the leaves are falling and there is a chill in the air, seasonal properties are going to begin getting closed up for the season.
Because of that, the Alberta RCMP are reminding people to make sure they have put in crime prevention measures while closing up seasonal property, especially if the property is going to be unattended for an extended period.
So far this year, there have been 348 break-ins at seasonal properties and cottages, which is an 8 per cent increase from last year.
During the off-season, break and enters tend to occur the most, due to there being fewer people and a lower chance of quickly being caught.
The Alberta RCMP have offered up several tips to help keep seasonal property safe during the off-season, and they are:
- Take home all valuables, including expensive tools and electronics, and properly lock up anything left behind. Consider posting signage that states all valuables have been removed.
- Put away any outdoor furniture.
- Make sure all doors, windows, gates, and outbuildings are secured.
- If you have a hunting property, always ensure that your firearms or any other hunting equipment is properly stored and secured, even inside a locked property.
- If storing off-highway vehicles, empty all gas from the tank and block the vehicle so it cannot be easily removed from the premises.
- Trim shrubs and trees to create clear sightlines.
- Install timers on interior lights to give the illusion the property isn’t vacant.
- Install exterior motion sensor lights at entrances, sheds, or outbuildings.
- Try to visit your property regularly, clear snow off paths to give the illusion of use, and inspect for any damages or thefts, so they can be reported in a timely manner.
- Installing security cameras and an alarm system that lets you monitor your property from a distance and is a deterrent to thieves.
For more information on how to keep property safe, head over to either the RCMP YouTube page or follow them on social media.