Before students pack up and leave Ames for the week-long Thanksgiving break, they should take extra steps to prevent break- ins and property thefts, law enforcement officers said.

“Long-term absence lends itself to break-ins,” said Sgt. Mike Johns, of the Ames Police Department.

Although no specific areas of Ames are targeted, people who don’t secure their homes are at a higher risk to be victims of a break-in, he said.

Televisions, computers and bicycles top the list of property theft during breaks, Johns said.

“There are a few simple steps individuals can take to ensure his or her residence will remain safe over the breaks,” said Tom Shelton, community resource officer for the Ames Police Department.

Securing windows and doors to a residence can go a long way in theft prevention, he said. In addition, Shelton said students should take valuable items home during the break.

Chuck Cychosz, program manager for the Department of Public Safety, said students who leave Ames to eat their turkey should ask neighbors and friends to keep an eye on things.

“Having someone pick up your newspapers and mail will help give the appearance that the apartment is occupied,” he said.

Students with roommates should make an extra effort to communicate with one another before leaving, he said.

“We’ve had situations where an apartment has been left completely unlocked with the door open and the students had left for break – simply because the roommates thought the other was the last to leave,” Cychosz said.

DPS organizes a house-watch program for students living in sororities and fraternities, he said.

If a house will be empty during a break, someone from the house should call DPS so officers can keep an eye on the house.