Tyler, TX (KETK) — If you're heading out of town for July 4th or any vacation there are some safety measures you should take before you leave.

Criminals often target homes that look empty so make sure you let your neighbors know you're on vacation.

The Smith County Sheriff's Office has some advice for homeowners.

1. Make sure your mail is picked up or suspend your mail deliveries. You don't want an overflowing mail box or piles of newspapers to alert criminals you aren't home.

2. Get someone to mow your lawn. A sign of an overgrown lawn could also be a red flag that no one is around.

3. Ask your neighbors to park their cars in your driveway periodically to make it look like people are coming and going.

4. Timers for the house are also a good idea. Lights and televisions going on and off in the home show that there's activity going on in the home.

5. Social Media-- don't advertise you're on vacation on your Facebook and Twitter and turn off the GPS tracker that can update your location on social media sites.

6. Call your local law enforcement agency and ask for a check-in patrol. Law enforcement can periodically stop by and make sure everything okay while you're gone

Finally do everything possible to make it difficult for criminals to break in-- lock your doors, your gates, put your valuables in safety deposit box, and even install an in-house alarm that can go off if there's a break in.