While you’re away for vacation from glorious Takoma Park, the last thing you want to worry about is your home being burglarized.

Amica, a Maryland-based insurance company, is reminding residents to stay vigilant and aware of how their home is secured when they are away.

“Burglars often look for easy targets – unoccupied homes that are easy to break into,” said Michael Gillerlane, a senior assistant vice president with Amica. “The most important thing to do, whether you’re leaving overnight or on an extended vacation, is to make your home looked lived-in while you’re gone.”

Quick tips:

• Lock garages and sheds. You don’t want burglars to use your tools to break into your home, so make sure they are secured and locked before you leave.

• Leave a light on. This may seem simple, but leave a light on, even if someone needs to come by the house to do it. You can also use a timer to stagger when the lights go on and off.

• Stop mail. Make sure you notify all companies that send mail to your home, including newspaper deliveries. You can also ask a neighbor to collect them so they don’t pile up.

• Maintain the yard. Arrange for someone to come and mow your lawn while you are away, especially if the house will be vacant for an extended period.

• Protect electronics. Make sure you turn off and password-protect computers, and disconnect them from the Internet.

• Hide valuables. Burglars know that people keep their valuables in similar places. It’s a good idea to hide expensive jewelry somewhere else besides the bedroom.

• Secure personal documents. Consider leaving your valuables,      including personal documents, in a safety deposit box instead of an unlocked desk.

• Don’t publicize vacation. Try not to talk about your vacation on social media sites.

• Tell someone you’re leaving. It’s a great idea to let trusted friends and neighbors know when you’ll be gone.

• Make it hard to enter. Be sure to close and lock all windows and doors.  If you don’t have deadbolt locks, you may consider installing them.