Tips for a Safe Holiday

 

During the holidays, people are often busy, excited and a little careless. Unfortunately, it’s a time when they should be extra careful since it’s a peak season for burglars, pickpockets, purse-snatchers, shoplifters and con artists. Here are some things you can do to help make the holidays a safe and happy time:

 

AT HOME

·        Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes. Remember to set your burglar alarm.

·        Do not display gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store them out of sight before you go away on a holiday trip. Secure high-value items.

·        If you go out in the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house looks occupied.

·        If you go away for a few days, get an automatic timer for your lights. Have a neighbor watch your house, shovel snow, pick up the mail and newspapers and park his or her car in your driveway from time to time.

·        Check to make sure items like televisions, VCRs/DVDs, stereos, cameras and microwave ovens are marked with a unique identification number in addition to recording serial/model numbers to help the police recover them if they get stolen.

·        Be wary of strangers coming to the door asking for charitable donations. They may be taking advantage of people’s generosity during the holidays to start a charity that only benefits them. Ask for identification, how the funds are used, and if contributions are tax deductible. If you aren’t satisfied with the answers, don’t give. Instead, support charitable organizations you are familiar with.

·        Immediately mark your new gifts with a unique identification number and record model/serial numbers.

·        Use only fire resistant ornaments on your tree and make sure lights are in good working order. Keep the tree water level full to help keep it green. Don’t leave the lights on overnight or when you are out.

·        Teach your children not to play with tree lights or electrical connections.

·        Never burn gift wrappings in your fireplace.

·        Test your smoke detectors by pushing the test button and explain to children the purpose of smoke detectors and what to do if one goes off.

 

SHOPPING

·        Even though you are rushed thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings. If you see people loitering in parking garages, parking lots and outside of stores, go the other way and alert security.

·        If possible, shop before it gets dark. Coordinate shopping trips with a friend if you plan to be out late. Never park in an unlit lot, no matter how convenient it is.

·        Lock your car and close the windows, even if you’re only gone a few minutes. Lock packages in the trunk prior to arriving at a new shopping location.

·        If possible, park near streetlights and have your keys in hand when you return to the car. Check the interior of your car before getting inside.

·        To discourage purse-snatchers, don’t overburden yourself with packages. Make multiple trips to car. Have your purchases delivered whenever practical.

·        Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card, when possible. However, don’t carry excess credit cards. Take only those cards for the stores where you intend to shop.  Make sure you have recorded the numbers of all your credit cards and keep this information in a safe place at home.

·        Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse under your arm. Keep a wallet in your front trouser or inside jacket pocket, not a back trouser pocket.

·        Teach your children to go to a store clerk, security or police officer and ask for help if you become separated in a store or shopping mall. They should never go into a parking lot alone.

 

AT WORK

·        Lock any gifts you’ve bought on your lunch hour in a safe place. Remind coworkers to do the same.

·        Be especially careful to keep your purse or wallet with you at all times or locked in a secure place.

·        Be alert for people who may try to take advantage of the holiday mood. If you see unauthorized people in places they shouldn’t be, call security or notify your supervisor immediately.

·        Don’t let a coworker’s holiday be ruined by crime. If someone you know has been a victim, offer to help with shopping and locating victim services. Just listening can be a big help.

 

We hope this helps you understand the various crime risks during the holidays and how you can protect yourself by reducing the vulnerability and opportunity for crime. Please share this information with family and friends.