Steps you need to take before going out of town.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Finals wrap up at the end of this week, and both students and professors are ready to go enjoy Christmas break

And with so many people leaving criminals may have an easier time walking away with your Christmas cheer.

Christmas is fast approaching, and that means students and residents of Starkville are ready to pack their bags and go on vacation.

But before you leave, there are some steps you need to take.

“Before you leave make sure you secure all windows and doors. Make sure they are secure by putting your hands on them to make sure that they are close any window treatments. You may want to put lights on a timer possibly a TV or radio on a timer, so there’s not just lights but sound happening out of your residence,” said Sgt. Brandon Lovelady.

If you are leaving your car during the holidays, some extra precautions are also in order to keep your car from being the target of car burglars.

“I would highly encourage them to make sure all valuables are out of sight but also park your vehicles in well lit easily seen areas from the roadways. Don’t try to hide your vehicle in the back of the parking lot somewhere because that’s where the thieves will want to go,” Chief Vance Rice.

And while many are going on break, local police are working harder.

“Campus is more or less empty during this holiday times. We try and be very vigilant to anyone that is moving around campus. What are they here for? If they’re here to just visit and enjoy our beautiful campus you know we want them to be here and welcome, but if they’re not here for good reasons we also want to be well aware of that,” said Chief Rice.

“On the police department side we are going to increase apartment complex checks our neighborhood check,” said Sgt. Lovelady.

Starkville police also offer vacation home checks to help you feel more at ease.

“What that is is a form you fill out you can download it off the Internet and print it offline off our website, or you can get a copy of the police department and fill it out in August there will randomly check your residence once every 24 hours,” said Sgt. Lovelady.

It’s also a good idea to set up a friend or neighborhood network while you are away.

If you have someone you trust have them check up on your place and collect your mail, so it looks like someone is home.