ROSCOE VILLAGE — Want to be extra nice this holiday season? Dump your trash in a neighbor's garbage cart.
That's one of the tips shared by the Chicago Police Department to keep unoccupied homes safe during the holiday season, as tens of thousands of Chicagoans skip town to celebrate Christmas with family or head to warmer climes.
Ways to avoid burglary include the common advice to leave various lights on in the house (preferably on timers) and to keep some blinds or curtains open.
Additional tips to keep thieves off the mark:
• Landline phones (still have those?) can be a dead giveaway if they ring off the hook when no one's home. Turn the ringer volume down low, or off altogether, when out of town.
• An empty trash can, especially if all the others in the alley are overflowing, is another telltale sign that nobody's home. Ask a trusted neighbor to keep your garbage cart looking used while you're gone.
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