Thanksgiving is approaching in just a week, and Christmas is just around the corner. Thieves know that around the holidays, there are usually extra valuables in houses. There is no good time to become a victim of a burglary and theft, but the holiday season is the absolute worst time. There are some precautions that can be taken this time of year to help make your holiday season a safe and happy one.

Try not to leave presents displayed under the Christmas tree in front of a window. This gives a would-be thief a much greater invitation to burglarize your home and be successful at stealing your presents. Even if you are at home, make sure your doors and windows are locked.

Thieves know their crime will be more profitable this time of year, so take extra precautions to stay safe. Make sure your home is well-lit and there are exterior lights, preferably with motion sensors. Do not let any strangers into your home. If a stranger knocks on your door and is seeking the use of your phone or entrance into your home, do not let them in. Give police a call to respond and assist the stranger, while checking him or her out.

If no one is at home, draw the curtains so the gifts under your Christmas tree are not in view. Burglars look for the easiest opportunity to carry out a crime undetected, so try to make your home a difficult target. Also, when disposing of boxes or packaging for expensive gifts, cut up the boxes for recycle and place the inside of the box outward so you don't advertise the great new item in the home. Just setting the box at the curb or alley announces that you have an expensive new gift inside your house that might be attractive to thieves.

When expensive gifts are purchased, log serial numbers, model numbers and descriptions of the items. Have these numbers in a safe place that you will remember should you become the victim of a burglary. Also consider photographing your valuables for police or insurance in case the unimaginable does in fact happen.

If you are going to be gone for the holidays, ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your house and maybe leave them a key. Provide them with phone numbers where you can be reached in case of an emergency. Consider having them turn on various lights in your house, or moving the positions of the curtains so it appears that someone is at home. Also consider putting some of your lights or the television on timers to help with the appearance that you are home. If you would like a little extra emphasis or attention towards checking your property while you are away, the Hays Police Department can be contacted for patrol checks. The officers will attempt to check on your home, patrolling by your house as many as three times a day, when time permits. If something is out of the ordinary or there appears to be a problem, officers will investigate and make contact with the owner or point of contact you provide if necessary. While the department is here to protect and serve the entire community and will attempt to provide an extra check of your home, nothing is better than a good, watchful neighbor.

Make sure that you lock all your doors and windows, including the door to the garage. Consider unplugging your electric garage door opener. Make sure any sheds or outbuildings are also secure. If you leave a car in the driveway, do not leave any valuables visible in the vehicle and ensure you lock the vehicle.

Accumulated mail and newspapers can be obvious signs that you are out of town.

Unless you have someone picking up your mail and newspapers for you, consider having the post office and newspaper carrier hold your mail and paper while you are gone.

The goal you want to achieve when you are preparing to travel out of town is to first properly secure your home and property, and secondly, make your home look lived-in and have the appearance that someone is home. When a home looks like its owners are out of town, then it is a potential target for thieves and burglars. A little preparation before you travel can make your return home a joy rather than a disappointment.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. If you are traveling, be safe on your travels and take some simple steps to keep your home safe while you are away.

Philip Hartsfield is assistant chief of the Hays Police Department.