MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — This week is rife with opportunity for burglars intending to break into the empty homes families leave behind while on vacation.

AAA South Dakota estimates that over 215,000 people in this state will be traveling between now and Sunday for the Independence Day holiday. Experts say there are ways to help ensure valuables inside the houses that are left behind are never at risk of being stolen. Home security should be designed to make it as time-consuming as possible to stage a break-in.

AAA notes their research suggests that most burglars avoid homes that look like they’ll take more than four to five minutes to get into. Outside doors should appear firm and be made of metal or thick hardwood. Deadbolts on doors and windows are another suggestion. An alarm system that automatically contacts the local police or fire department is recommended.

Jewelry and other valuables should be tucked away in a safe or lock box, located outside of plain sight, either in a storage room or deep in the basement, away from the main floor. An often overlooked threat is the computer. AAA stresses the need for a secure Wi-Fi network with a password that isn’t easy for a stranger to guess. Computers often have sensitive information stored on them that is valuable to identity thieves.

The last set of suggestions is aimed at making burglars think someone is still home. Use a timer to turn lights on and off throughout the day. Put a temporary stop on newspaper and mail delivery so they don’t pile up by the street. Have the lawn cut by a professional service and ask a neighbor to temporarily check in on things.

Finally, keep from talking about going on vacation on social media or other public forums, no matter how exciting the trip may be.