When you will be leaving your house for a period of time:

1.A stack of newspapers and/or mail on your veranda is an invitation to a burglar.  Therefore, cancel mail and newspaper delivery.  If the PO will not agree, then have a trust person pick up mail and/or packages every day.
2.NEVER leave a note telling people to leave all deliveries with the next-door neighbor.
3.Trim back all bushes near your house.  Burglars love to have that cover when approaching your home.
4.Don’t leave messages for people saying you’re not home.  Say you’re not available presently.
5.Safeguard valuables.  Move things of value to another location—bank safety deposit boxes, or a friend’s home.  Record everything of value in your home.
6.Don’t close curtains completely—that advertises to everyone that you’re not home.
7.Make sure all ground floor windows and doors have no broken panes or loose locks.
8.Put up sign for “Beware of Dog.”
9.Don’t leave an extra key under an outside mat or rock.  Thieves know these hiding places.
10.Have a neighbor watch the home.  If your neighborhood has a program for this, use it.  And provide a neighbor with a way to contact you or a responsible party in case of an emergency during your absence.
11.You might leave a key with a trusted neighbor—this will avoid damage from water leaks or some other minor disaster.
12.Call your local police so that they can watch.
13.Make sure all electricity bills, etc, are paid in advance.  If you’ll be gone a long time, make advance payments.
14.If you have a car and a garage door opener, don’t leave the door opener in the car during your absence.
15.Now have peace of mind and enjoy your journey.