Keep your home well lit. When you go out for the evening, leave a few lights on in the house, and leave the outside lights on, too. Before going away overnight, put lights and a radio on automatic timers. Trim shrubs and trees near doors and windows. High fences and shrubbery can hide a burglary in process, so trade in some privacy for visibility and security.
Vacation time means extra precautions.
You don't want to signal your absence with a pile of newspapers on your stoop and an overflowing mailbox. Temporarily stop your newspaper and have the post office hold your mail until you return. In the spring and summer, have someone mow your lawn, while in the winter, have someone shovel your driveway. If possible, you should ask a trusted friend or neighbor to stop by and check on your home while you're away.