Tis the season when families bring home the hottest electronics and gifts — and then go on vacation.

Home burglaries spike over the holidays, so if you are headed out of town take a few extra precautions to keep your home and valuables safe.

Start by making your property unattractive to burglars. Thieves want to get in and out quickly, they don’t want to be seen, and they don’t want trouble in the form of barking dogs, tricky entrances and noisy alarms.

The easiest way for an intruder to gain entry is through a door or open window.

Fortify doors by using a deadbolt in addition to a door knob. And don’t forget the garage door. Burglars frequently gain entry to a house via a flimsy garage door.

Use the same care on your garage access door and reinforce hinges, make sure the frame is secure, and install a dead bolt. Disable the garage door opener and lock it when on vacation.

Put a long dowel or bar into the track of any sliding door or install a foot lock that clicks a bolt into the track.

Burglars are known to drive around neighborhoods on trash day after big gift holidays to check empty boxes on the curb that reveal what wonderful new toys you have.

Don’t put the boxes for your new laptop or big screen TV out front and center. Break down boxes and conceal them in the recycling or trash bin.

Keep up landscape maintenance and put a vacation hold on newspapers and mail. Ask a neighbor to help keep unwanted flyers and clutter from piling up on the front porch.

Scare burglars away with noise and light. Install motion sensors on outdoor lights. If you have a home security system let thieves know it by displaying the sign prominently in the yard or by the front door. Display a “Beware of Dog” sign…whether you have one or not.

Timers on interior lights can make it appear someone is always home. Trick potential intruders with tech devices like FakeTV, a small LED gismo that simulates the light output of television programming.

It uses the same energy as a nightlight, and has a built in light sensor and timer that turns on at dusk and off at a predetermined bedtime.

Watch what you post on social media. Thieves look through posts seeking information on what you got for Christmas and when you plan to leave on vacation.

Adriana Donofrio Podley Properties Glendora (626) 926-9700 adrianad@podley.com