Whenever you leave home for an extended period of time, one of the first items of business should be to arrange someone to take care of your yard, summer and winter.
One trick burglars use to gauge whether or not someone is home is the condition of the lawn. If your lawn is consistently mowed each week, two weeks of growth can tip a burglar to your absence. If your driveway and sidewalks are normally shoveled after a snowstorm, the presence of accumulated snow can also cause a would-be thief to start casing your home for a planned burglary.
It's actually not too difficult to make arrangements for the upkeep of your property while you're out of town. Consider contacting a neighbor, a family member, a trusted friend from work or church, or even a contracted service. They'll be happy for the work, even if it's only for a week or two.
Remember, home security is something that needs your attention on various levels. A monitored ADT home security system can help protect your house whether you're home, gone to the store, or away for the summer. Don't leave anything to chance.