With millions set to travel for Memorial Day, Columbus Police remind everyone of proper home safety tips

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – After seeing a record-low 23 million vacationers in 2020, AAA is predicting a 60 p.c enhance in individuals taking a visit over the 2021 Memorial Day Weekend.

The Golden Triangle is inside driving distance of well-liked locations like Atlanta, the Gulf Coast and Nashville.

However as some prepare for probably their first trip for the reason that pandemic, native regulation enforcement desires to verify individuals haven’t forgotten find out how to maintain their houses protected when they’re away.

“Criminals, when individuals are out of city, they’re going to reap the benefits of that,” says Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton.

Chief Shelton says that he understands individuals are excited to get out to the seaside or no matter vacation spot they’ve deliberate, particularly after an extended quarantine. He simply desires to verify Mississippians bear in mind their dwelling security fundamentals.

“Ensure that your alarm is working, ensure that it’s on,” he says. “In case your neighbor shouldn’t be going out of city, have your neighbor examine on your home so that you can ensure that every part’s OK.”

From Could 27 via Could 31, AAA predicts greater than 37 million individuals will journey 50 miles or extra from their houses, 34 million by automotive.

Which suggests thousands and thousands of empty houses.

“If the chance is bigger, then we have to be extra vigilant,” Chief Shelton says. “As a result of individuals know individuals are touring, extra individuals are going away.”

Chief Shelton says the primary security precaution individuals should bear in mind: don’t put up these trip pics.

“(Should you) say, ‘I’m down in Florida on the seaside having enjoyable,’ and so the unhealthy man can say, ‘when you’re on the seaside having enjoyable, your home is open. So we would simply need to pay you a go to,’” he explains. 

As an alternative of updating one’s Instagram story, Chief Shelton recommends checking the stay feed of dwelling safety cameras like Ring or Nest.

“You probably have that know-how, I’d counsel that you simply try this,” he says. “Whilst you’re out, simply periodically examine your private home video and ensure every part goes good round your home.”

However getting these trip photographs on the timeline can wait.

“Take footage, have enjoyable however wait until you’re again from trip to put up your movies,” the police chief cautions.

Different tell-tail indicators of an empty home embody a full mailbox and rubbish bins left on the curb.