Protecting your home while away

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Labor Day is right around the corner, but before you take off for the holiday weekend, make sure your home is safe when you're not there. Here are some guidelines to keep your home protected.

Make sure you cut the shrubs below window level and trim trees away from the house. An obscured window is an invitation for would-be thieves. You'll also want to protect your sliding glass doors by putting a metal rod in the track or add a bolt lock.

Make sure you unplug your automatic garage door opener on your way out. Burglars may be able to uncover the code and use it to open your garage door. And don't leave any tools outside. Bring them inside so a thief can't use them to break into your home.

A thief knows when a house looks unoccupied. To make your home "lived" in, set timers that will turn your lights on and off at different times. Make sure the front of your property looks well-maintained.

And you may want to have a neighbor park in your driveway some of the time that you're away.

If you have a home security system, be sure to notify the company that you plan to be away. Most companies may pay a little bit better attention if they know there's no one at home.

If you're going to be away for awhile, you'll want to shut off the water supply to individual fixtures like your washing machine, icemaker, toilets and sinks, according to the Institute for Home and Business Safety.

Flooding happens when hoses are worn or ruptured, or there is a leak at the connection. Of course, you don't want to leave appliances like the washing machine or dishwasher running. Make sure to unplug all those smaller items, like your toaster, microwave oven or computer and TV.

You should also make sure the sump pump is working, since you never know when the next rain deluge is due.

An overflowing mailbox is a ripe target for identity thieves who will rifle through your credit card solicitations and bills to get your private information. Get a neighbor to collect your mail or you can have your deliveries held at the post office. You may also want to stop your newspaper delivery.

Sort through your filing cabinet and lock up any documents that has your bank account numbers or social security number.

You'll also want to disconnect the computer from the Internet. You don't want thieves hacking into your accounts.