Regardless of the length of your vacation, it's important to be sure that your home has a lived-in appearance. Tell-tale signs that invite burglars or vandals include overgrown lawns, piled-up newspapers, a full mailbox and no lights at night.

This checklist will help you enjoy your vacation with the knowledge that you haven't forgotten to take the proper steps to protect your home.

• Ask a friend or neighbor to pick up your mail, or go to the post office and place a hold on delivery until you return.
• Call your newspaper's circulation department and request a vacation hold; some papers require 48 hours notice.
• Plug certain lights into automatic timers. These devices are inexpensive and are among the most effective means of giving your home a lived-in appearance. They will also make it more difficult for a burglar to work undetected by your neighbors. Some models have variable-interval timers, which alter the times at which your lights go on and off from day to day.
• Leave a radio turned on.
• Arrange to have some one cut your grass. Leave a house key with a friend or neighbor in case of emergencies. This person also could open and close shades and drapes to alter the appearance of your home.
• Let the police know if you are going to be away for an extended period. In some communities, they will occasionally be able to check on your home while you're gone.
• Leave an itinerary with a neighbor or relative in case you need to be reached in an emergency.
• Just before you leave, be sure that all appliances are turned off and that all windows and doors are securely locked.

©1992 by NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.