Here are some tips from Toronto Police for the owners of stores or small businesses to keep their companies and homes safe from thieves as the days get shorter at this time of the year.

Officers from 11 Division Crime Prevention Unit are warning business owners to ensure their alarms and Closed Circuit TVs are operational and to leave their lights on inside and outside of their premises.

Police are encouraging owners to keep track of their inventory and update their insurance coverage, should anything occur.

Post emergency contact key holder information inside the store and remove high value goods from store window view, according to police.

Back up all business documentation and when visually checking your business, do so during the day for better visibility, officers warn.

Owners should also display their empty cash drawer by the window or door and get to know their  business neighbours.

They should also keep their store windows clear and without clutter so people passing by outside can view inside the store and possibly report trouble.

Residents are also urged to reinforce their homes and properties and may want to add extra lighting, update locks, alarm systems, video monitoring, reinforce entry points or remove overgrown bush or structures to allow proper sight lines.

Police say some giveaways that a homeowner may be away for a period of time includes: newspapers piled up on the driveway, overflowing mail box, porch lights left on all day and night and an overgrown lawn.

Officers say homeowners can take precautions if going away by placing their mail delivery on hold, install timed lighting on the premises, ask a neighbour to regularly check on their property and by scheduling the landscapers to come.

Police are encouraging residents to use a heavy-duty deadbolt on their front door, keep a light with a timer when no one is at home, keep their car locked even in the garage, double check that doors and windows are locked prior to leaving home and open windows should be no more than four-inches to prevent intrusion.

All jewellery and valuables should be stored in a safe place before leaving the house and if anyone breaks in the home do not engage, call 911.

Once again police say exterior lighting is very important around the home and backyard at this time of the year.

Police also warn never to leave your car keys near the front door of their home since thieves can steal their vehicle without the keys by cloning a victim’s fob. Keep your car keys in a secure part of the home.

At this time of the year home owners should be wary of anyone knocking on their door suggesting that their roof, shingles, snow removal, windows or eavestrough needs repair or to be changed.

Home owners are urged when hiring a contractor to check their references, do not provide full payment, get a contract and research the company.

Call police at 416-808-2222 to report suspicious activities or report activities online at www.torontopolice.on.ca