Travelling during the holidays can be stressful enough, but taking the time to ensure your home is safe while you're away will afford you peace of mind by preventing break-in's and damage. The following five tips will help to improve the overall safety of your home by creating that "lived-in" look while you are away: 1) Ensure the driveway is cleared of snow. Having the snow promptly removed gives potential thieves the impression that people are home and occupying the residence 2) Have someone regularly check your mailbox, especially if it is delivered directly to your home, so that mail does not pile up and end up lost or stolen 3) Park vehicles inside the garage, if possible, to make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle 4) Set your lights on a random timer; this gives the illusion that people are home and using various rooms in the home 5) Have a neighbour or friend check your home. It's always a good idea to have someone come by and check your home while you're away to ensure that all is well and that no issues have occurred.