With school almost out, Tampa Police Department officials offer these tips to make sure your house is secure when you head out of town this summer.

Residential burglaries increase as much as 18 percent during the summer while families are away on vacation, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

With that in mind, officials at the Tampa Police Department released the following tips for New Tampa residents as they head out of town:

Give your house a lived in look.

• Put automatic timers on several lights on each level of your home, on a radio and on the television. Set the timers so the lights and appliances will turn on and off randomly.
• Leave shades and blinds in the same positions they are in when you are home.
• Arrange to have your lawn mowed while you’re away.
• Install dusk-to-dawn or motion sensor lights on all outdoor lights.
• Have a neighbor get your mail and any deliveries, or have the post office hold them until you return.

Inform as few people as possible of your vacation plans.

Don’t post your plans on social media sites.

• Leave your contact and itinerary information with a trusted neighbor and ask that neighbor to keep an eye on your property.
• Don’t turn on email auto-reply to indicate you are not home.

Make sure your home is secure when you leave.

• Lock all outside doors with deadbolt locks.
• Lock your windows and the garage door.
• Make sure your smoke and burglar alarms are functioning properly.
• Place metal rods in the tracks of sliding windows and doors for extra security.
• Securely fasten pet entrances onto your patio.
• Make a home inventory list complete with photos and video.

Source: New Tampa Patch