Check list twice

WHEN YOU’RE going away
on vacation you want to rest —
and rest easy too. If you want
peace of mind that your home
is as safe as it can be from bur-
glary or other damage, run
though this checklist.

@ Suspend your newspaper and mail
delivery, or have a neighbor hold
them for you. A pile of papers and
mail is a clear sign that the home is
vacant.

@ Arrange to have the house look
lived in, That means having some-
one mow the lawn or shove! the
walk, clear your car off if it snows,
or park their car in your driveway if
you're taking yours. You can even

66 In your excitement
to get going on your
vacation, make sure to
take the key out of the
door when you lock
up. 99

ask a neighbor to put a bag of
garbage at your curb on garbage day.
_ _ Burglars can pick up on all sorts
of signs that you're away:
@ A dark house all the time is a tell-
_ tale sign that it’s empty. Set your
lights on timers, in various rooms.
With some timers, the lights go on
and off at different times each day,
which means a burglar can’t pick up
_ On 2 pattern.

Motion sensor lights outside can
also startle a burglar and make him
flee. Consider installing them in
front and back. ot
@ Tell a neighbor when you're leav-
ing and returning, and ask them to
keep an eye out for anything suspi-
cious. Leave someone a phone num-
ber where you can be reached, and a
spare set of your keys in case of an
emergency, or simply to check your
house once in awhile.
® Burglars know all the clever hid-
ing spots for valuables; they do this
for a living. If you can’t bear the
thought of a favorite piece of jewel-
ry being stolen, put it in a safety
deposit box while you’re gone.
® Ensure that all your doors and
windows are secure. Don’t forget
‘about the garage. To be extra safe,
place a bar or stick of wood in the
lower track of sliding doors or win-

lows.

DON'T MIX
DO YOU?
a The Canadian Red Cross Society

Ensure your
home is safe
and sound

@ Do not leave notes on your door
saying that you're away. People
sometimes do this when they're
expecting deliveries, but if a burglar
reads it you may as well just leave
the front door open.

@ Make sure the stove is off, and the
taps aren't running. Depending on
how long you're gone, you may
want to tum off the water main and
unplug the major appiiances as an
added precaution.

@ One last tip: in your excitement to
get going on your vacation, make

sure to take the key out of the door

when you lock up. You’d be sur-
prised at how often people forget.
— Courtesy of Insurance Bureau

% see®

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We offer —

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north shore

Call 984-0477 today
weekends and Christmas should be fun.

* efficient well trained maids

* reasonable rates to suit any budget
* our own equipment and supplies. -

© clean up for Christmas now
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because your

Readers Choice __.
~ TOP HOMES & BUSINESSES

The following 20 homes and 6 commercial buildings have been selected as the ones to see for their display - oe
of lights and decorations. Drive by and select your favorites, fill out the ballot and drop it off at

your nearest location or just drive by and enjoy.

5909 Nancy Greene Way

5569 Huckleberry Lane

5221 Nancy Greene Way
5159 Nancy Greene Way

4747 Capilano Road

918 Prospect Avenue

4770 Marine View Crescent

#3 Fire Station
550 Montroyal Blvd.

Twigs and Petals
foodbine Dr.

3077

1012 Ridgewood Drive
1000 Ridgewood Drive

4150 Pelly Road

2905 Crescentview Drive
1205 West 22nd Street
723 West 20th Street

. 515 Hendry Avenue
2049 Mount Seymour Pkwy
1815 Crawford Road
622 East 10th Ave.

945 Westview Cres.
370 Inglewood Ave. (W.Van.)
156 West Queens Road

Bridge House Restaurant
3650 Capilano Road

North Shore Credit Union
3131 Edgemont Bivd.

John Gordon Hairstyles -
3026 Edgemont Blvd. -

Highland Optical
3104 Edgemont Blvd.

NORTH SHORE NEWS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Best Family Home

Best Commercial Address

READERS CHOICE BALLOT

Please drop off your ballot before December 26. You’ll have a chance to win one of 25 Grouse Mountain Family
Skyride passes. Winners will be contacted by phone on Dec. 27. For further information call 984-0661.

NAME
PHONE (day)

(eve)

north shore

Mr.

Grouse Mountain
‘The Peak of Vancouver

a Gee
FRc nym Commun.

SEPT LEP AAR BS BI A TS REE =