You read about it every year. Some nice, honest, hard-working family has a great Christmas. Toys, clothes, electronics and even a piece of jewelry or two are wrapped with care and placed beneath the tree. Dec. 25 arrives, and smiles with it as the family shares a perfect holiday together before visiting grandma and grandpa out of state.

That’s when it happens.

A burglar takes note that every light in the house is off, the home lacks an alarm, a window is slightly open, and the neighbors aren’t paying any attention, and decides to strike. He robs them blind. Virtually every present given is stolen along with the TV, the DVD player, mom’s jewelry, the stereo, silver picture frames. Even the Christmas CD collection.

Gone.

The family returns to a violated house, devoid of many of the things that they enjoyed. Things that made it feel like home.

If they’d taken a few simple precautions, like making sure the house was properly secured, valuables were placed out of sight, a neighbor is checking in on the house regularly, and a few key lights are on, the tragedy could have been easily averted.

It sounds terrible but people go through such traumas every year. As a result, the North Kitsap Herald would like to remind its readers to be vigilant this holiday.

Don’t be totally lulled into a false sense of security by the spirit of the season. There are Grinches out there who would like nothing better than to steal your Christmas.

Make sure they don’t get the chance.

Before you leave your home for a vacation or trip this holiday, take a few minutes to check with your local law enforcement and get a to-do list before you depart. It’ll help make this Christmas one to remember instead of one to forget.