Gary Allan of Performance Tire and Wheel puts a tire on a customer's car. Motor vehicle maintenance is just one kind of preparation travelers should think of this winter. Break-ins and bursting pipes are also a concern.

With the holiday travel season gearing up, law enforcement and one local plumber suggest break-ins and burst pipes should be on the minds of people going on extended vacations.

“If you’re leaving, you can shut your water off at the main. If it does break, it won’t flood your house,” said Dennis O’Bryon, owner of O’Bryon Plumbing. Also, “make sure your windows and doors are shut, so you’re not wasting heat.”

O’Bryon recommended having a neighbor or relative check on unoccupied homes to ensure that pipes are still intact. The Lawrence Police Department also said neighbors can keep an eye on vacant homes, to make sure there is no suspicious activity.

“Try to give your house a lived-in appearance,” said Lawrence Police Sgt. Dan Ward. “Oftentimes, crooks will try to determine when people are not home. It’s easy to tell who’s not there by the lack of lights or accumulation of newspapers.”

The Utilities Department and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical said homeowners can take a number of steps to make sure their homes stay safe while they are away.

To keep your home dry:

¢ Leave your heat on so pipes do not freeze and break.

¢ Open the cabinet doors beneath sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the water pipes.

To deter burglars:

¢ Ask friends and neighbors to keep an eye on vacant homes. Ask them to clear away fliers and other materials that may accumulate on front steps.

¢ Watch for vehicle tracks or footprints at empty homes; these can indicate that someone may be inspecting homes to find which are unoccupied.

¢ Beware of door-to-door solicitors. While many are legitimate, others may be staking out vacant homes. Solicitors are required to carry laminated permit cards, which include the solicitor’s name, photograph, affiliation and the city seal.

¢ Stop all mail and newspaper delivery until you return home.

¢ Do not adjust shades and drapes. Use timers to turn lights and other appliances, such as televisions, on and off.

¢ Make sure credit cards, blank checks and other valuables are well hidden or are in your possession.

¢ Arrange for someone to clear snow from your property while you are gone.

¢ Don’t be afraid to call the police if you think a crime has occurred.