Holiday Safety Tips By SAPD Detective Willie Ng The holiday season is a busy time of the year for shoppers, businesses and criminal activity. You should always be aware of your surroundings and never be too busy to be cautious, especially during the holiday season. Here are some safety tips to help you prevent criminal activity during the holidays and anytime of the year. Home Safety Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave your home. When leaving home for an extended period of time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up newspaper or mail. Indoor and outdoor lighting should be on an automatic timer. Leave a radio or television on so the house seems occupied. Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through windows and doors. Keep presents out of sight until they are given and put them away before you leave your house unattended. Break up boxes especially for large electronic purchases such as televisions or stereos and dispose of them in large garbage bags. Garage door locks are usually the weakest locks you have. Avoid hiding presents in the garage. A second story closet or attic offers you safer storage. Always lock garage doors that lead into your house. Keep your home alarm on even when you’re at home.
Carrying Credit Cards & Cash / ATM Take extra precautions in monitoring credit card activity and carrying cash. Credit cards are as good as cash and clerks rarely check identification. Most credit card companies hold the owner responsible for all purchases until the card is reported lost or stolen. Keep your credit card in a safe place. Never leave cards lying around the house. Inventory your credit cards daily and report losses immediately. Take only the cards you will need or use when shopping. Take only the amount of cash you plan to spend when shopping. Keep cash in a secure place and don’t leave it lying around the house. Avoid flashing cash in public. Keep your bills flat in a wallet so you can count them without taking them out of the wallet. If you must use an ATM, choose one that is located inside a police station, mall or well lighted location. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need and be aware of your surrounding. Vehicle Safety
Avoid leaving packages, bags, gifts, etc. in plain view in your vehicle. All merchandise should be placed in the trunk or underneath a blanket on the floor when the vehicle is left unattended. Park in well lighted areas and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t walk to your vehicle alone; instead, ask for a security or store clerk escort if you feel there are suspicious people near your vehicle. Avoid parking near suspicious vehicles such as vans, trucks with camper shells or heavily tinted vehicles. Always lock your vehicle and never leave the motor running or children and pets unattended. Immediately remove all purchases from your vehicle when returning home. Deliveries
Be aware that criminals can pose as carriers delivering gifts so be aware of the delivery vehicle and make sure your front light is always on when answering the door. Schedule deliveries for times when you know someone will be home. Make arrangements to have deliveries made at your neighbors if you are unable to be home. If you observe a delivery person acting suspicious, ask to see identification or call police. Child Safety
Teach children to go to a store clerk in case your child is separated from you while shopping. Never allow your child to make unaccompanied trips to the restroom. Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that was received as a gift, please read the instructions carefully to ensure safety. To prevent burns or electric shocks, don’t give young children a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead buy toys that are battery operated.
Please share this information with friends, family and neighbors. These safety tips can help you become more aware of your surroundings and keep them posted for reminders. I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and safe holiday season. Please contact me at wng@satx.rr.com with any questions / comments.