Just two weeks ago, the National Bureau of Economic Research announced the U.S. officially is in a recession—as if our local residents needed the Massachusetts-based economic think tank to point out for them that the economy is in hot water and has been for some time.

What many people don't know is that when the economy spirals downward, crime has a way of heading in the other direction.

In short, there are more crimes during tough times. And there are even more crimes when tough times hit during the holidays, when crooks are out looking for gifts of their own.

So in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, somewhere in between stringing up the Christmas lightsand chugging down Grandma's eggnog, be sure to take these steps to make sure your family stays safe this holiday season.

Be sure to lock doors and windows. It's easy to forget to close a window or lock a back door, but that's exactly where burglars will look first to get inside your home. Don't make it easy for them.

Keep the exterior to your home well lit. Motion-detecting light fixtures are a great deterrent. Install light fixtures in an out-of-reach place where bulbs can't be removed or broken.

Avoid clutter in your front and back yards. Plants and bushes surrounding a house offer a burglar a perfect place to lurk unseen. Police suggest keeping shrubs to a height of no more than two feet, and a tree should be cleared of its lower branches for at least the first six feet.

If you're headed out of town for the holidays, make sure your home looks occupied while you're gone. Lamp and appliance timers help keep interior lights on at night. It's also best to either stop mail delivery or have a neighbor pick it up. Same goes for the newspaper. You might also ask a neighbor to park a car in your driveway.

Following the holidays, don't advertise what's in your home by the trash left on your curb. Break down boxes for high-end electronic items such as televisions and computers and be sure they're kept inside the recycling bin.

Finally, most police will agree there's no better protection for a home than an alert neighborhood watch. Get to know your neighbor and look out for each other. Always report anything suspicious to the police.

Do not try to intercede if you think a crime is being committed. Call 911 or the Simi Police at (805) 583-6950.

Here's to a safe and happy holidays!