Sheriff Knight offers tips to keep your home safe while on vacation

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Do you have plans to head out of town for the summer? Authorities in Dorchester County offered simple tips to help keep your home safe before leaving town.

“People get in their mind traveling and having a good time. We need all the help we can get from them to help prevent problems while they’re gone,” said Dorchester County Sheriff LC Knight.

There are ways you can help yourself avoid falling victim while you are away on vacation.

“Have the post office hold your mail. Don’t let your mail be on the front porch or in the mailbox where everybody riding by can see it,” he said.

And don’t share that you are headed out of town on social media — and wait to share your pictures and updates.

“Stay off of social media. A lot of people let people talk about leaving and going, and when they are out of town they post on social media “we’re having a wonderful time” and post pictures. Don’t do all that. That’s all that guys that’s got bad things in mind know that you’re not there.”

He also suggested using timers on your lights and said you should double-check your doors and windows to ensure they are locked. “Don’t make it easy for them,” he added.

“Set up a home security system. I know some are expensive, but as we shop around, we can find some that are not quite as expensive.”

Sheriff Knight said you shouldn’t forget the outside: cut your grass the last day before leaving town, and keep your yard clean so that it looks like you are home.

“If you have some valuables there that you really are fond of, put them in a secure place. Put them in a locked room, put them in a safe,” he said. “Make sure your trash gets dumped and your can gets put back in the same place every day. Don’t leave it out by the road for three or four days.”

“It’s good to be in a neighborhood that you have some buddies in there and some friends that you look out for their place and they look out for your place.”

Sheriff Knight said following these tips will help the sheriff’s office keep you safe. “We are only as good as our community makes us. If the community helps us, we do pretty good work.”