The brink of snowbird season is back.

As a snowbird, there are several items to include on your checklist before making the trip to your winter residence. The guidelines established in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) help residents deter crime by altering the area around the home.

Examples include making sure hedges are trimmed around windows and ornamental rocks are removed; eliminating opportunities for burglars to hide around or break into the residence. Another consideration is the implementation of home automation using Z-Wave technology which allows homeowners to control items such as locks, lights, thermostats, and cameras from their smartphone.

Home automation is often connected to the home’s burglar alarm system and can provide alerts and updates when events occur within the home. Additionally, snowbirds should have mail forwarded to their winter address and notify utility companies to make arrangements during their Florida stay.