Quote Originally Posted by SadieKate View Post
Another thing about vacations, the police told us to put external locks on everything when we leave. They said anything that makes it look like it will take an extra few seconds to get in is discouragement. We all have garage door openers now so we forget about the pin and look system that can be used on the doors. And, a housesitter doesn't solve the problem because more and more the break-ins are daytime when everyone is at work.
Another tip is to remove the wheels from your bikes. Also, I lock bikes together. It just might only make it 5% more difficult to steal them. But that 5% might be the difference! Someone broke into my friend's garage and stole 3 bikes. They didn't take the most valuable bikes. They only took the bikes that had both wheels on them.

Man, Veronica. There's nothing else to say. Nothing like kicking someone when they're down! Just when you're starting to get back to a normal frame of mind... WHAM! I feel so badly for you!

But maybe sharing your experience with all of us will make us more aware. I had been getting rather careless and lazy about setting the alarm on my house. But you bet I set it every time now!