The number of break-ins increases over the holidays, especially for students who live off campus, said Barry Pruitt, public information officer for the Bowling Green Police Department.

Those break-ins can be prevented, he said.

People realize students have gone home for an extended period of time, and they take advantage of that, Pruitt said.

Police have several tips for students to keep their belongings safe:

-Make sure all the doors and windows in your house or apartment are locked.

It’s easy to get in the habit of leaving doors or windows unlocked, but it’s an easy preventative measure to lock them, Pruitt said.

-Make sure the locks are adequate.

Police recommend deadbolt locks, Pruitt said.

About three-fourths of burglaries in Bowling Green happen at a residence with inadequate locks or unlocked windows or doors, he said.

-Take valuable items with you or hide them so they’re not in plain view.

-Have a lamp on a timer so it looks like someone’s home.

-Have someone pick up the mail or have the mail stopped while you’re gone.

“There’s nothing that says, ‘I’m not home’ like a front porch full of newspapers and flyers,” Pruitt said.

-Write down serial numbers and take photos of electronics.

That makes it easier for police to find and return stolen items, Pruitt said.