The Florence Police Department wants to ensure the community stays safe and crime-free as summer vacation season starts.

Florence Police Chief Bruce Walls has these tips for before you go on vacation:

• Don’t leave signs of an empty house.
• Have a friend house sit or at least pick up your mail and newspapers.
• Keep your identity and any travel plans on the downlow

He also offers this advice that’s good all year:

Do not showboat

Leaving certain things lying around your yard or in plain sight from the road can lure thieves onto your property.

Fake them out

If burglars can tell that someone is home, there's a greater chance that they won't attempt to break in. When you leave the house, create the illusion that someone's still there.

Secure sliding doors and windows

Take a strong dowel, steel bar or 2-by-4 and slide it into the back groove of your sliding door and don’t forget to lock your windows.

Don't leave a spare key out

Give a spare for safekeeping to a neighbor you know well or friend who lives nearby.

Secure your yard

Tall shrubs and overgrown trees are welcome hiding places for criminals.

Get police help

Police can help with vacation watches and security evaluations of your property.

Know your neighbors

Closer-knit neighborhoods generally report fewer break-ins because strangers will stick out and people are more likely to keep a casual eye on other people's property.

Stay vigilant

If you aren't paying attention to what you're doing, you could unknowingly be rolling out a red carpet for a burglar to walk through your front door. Always keep an eye out for suspicious activity in neighborhoods.

Lock it up

More than 40% of break-ins happen without the use of force. Locking windows and doors is the most important thing you can do to stop a break-in.

Don't forget to lock the door leading from the garage into your home. Also, keep your garage door closed and not vented, even during the day. Cracking or leaving your garage door open is an invitation to criminals.