Police say burglaries in south Snohomish County have been steadily increasing as we head into the holiday season.

Just in the last two months there have been more 200 commercial and residential burglaries reported in Lynnwood, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace.

Of particular concern to police is the increase in residential burglaries, as people stock up their homes for the holidays. They say a common theme is for a thief to make sure no one is home by ringing a doorbell or knocking. If no one answers, they may force their way inside.

Police say the most effective tool in preventing home burglaries is for homeowners and neighbors to report suspicious people or activities. Other tips include:

• Keep the outside of your home well-lit with doors locked and curtains closed.
• Do not display gifts beneath the Christmas tree that can be seen from the street.
• After the holidays, do not advertise gifts by leaving boxes out for garbage collection. Instead, flatten and place them in your recycle bin.

Also, if you’ll be away from home during the holidays:

• Don’t advertise (such as on social media) that you’ll be gone.
• Forward your phone calls.
• Suspend newspaper deliveries and have your mail held at the post office.
• Have a trusted neighbor watch your home.
• Make sure your home looks occupied while you are away and make it difficult to break in.
• Have a neighbor park their car in your driveway.
• Use timers on your lights.

Lynnwood police offer free vacation house monitoring to residents who are out of town. Just sign up at the police station (44th Ave. W. and 194th St. SW) and volunteers will look for suspicious activity around your house while you’re away.