By Shaun Penner

Recreational Properties

RCMP with reminders for cabin owners opening for season

May 11, 2019 | 7:00 AM

With the May long weekend coming up, Alberta RCMP are reminding seasonal property owners to be mindful when opening up their cabins for the first time.

RCMP responded to 8,600 reports of break and enters to recreational properties in 2018, and they say to double check your property when you first arrive to ensure nothing has been stolen or damaged. If something seems amiss, contact the RCMP right away.

As is the case when you leave your home for an extended period of time, one of the smartest things to do to keep your property secure is to keep your status of where you are and how long you will be there off of social media.

“Because that is basically giving a free-for-all for anybody that is, as we call it, trolling Facebook pages for people that are going away,” said Jennifer Kee with Alberta RCMP’s K Division. “It’s basically an open invitation to them. You’re letting them know how long you’re going to be gone, you’re letting them know that nobody is going to be there, it’s just an open invitation.”

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The same goes for if you have family or friends looking after the place you are away from.

“Because I have encountered that, where grandchildren are coming over to look after the grandparents house and they’re putting it on social media saying ‘oh, I’m looking after Grandma and Grandpa’s house’, and in small towns and rural areas, everybody knows who lives where,” said Kee. “So, we’re asking that not just you, but anybody that is coming to look after your property as well, that they don’t post it.”

Some other tips they give to keep your home and cabin safe while you are away include:

• Double checking doors and windows are locked
• Putting all valuables like patio furniture and barbecues away in a safe, locked location
• Install motion lights
• Remove all signs that identify you by name (i.e mailboxes)

Kee also says a good idea is using reminders like notifications on your smartphone to help you remember to follow a routine when locking up when you go away.

“Every Tuesday, we’re going to be sending out notifications on our social media accounts,” said Kee. “It’s just general tips that we’re going to be sending out just to jog everyone’s memory that certain, simple things need to be done and that will actually help deter the crime.”

You can follow Alberta RCMP on Facebook and Twitter, where they will be sending out property safety tips every weekend this month.