Sheriff's Department - Holiday
Safety Tips
Holiday
Safety Tips for Safe and Happy Holidays.
This holiday
season, don't let the spirit of giving lull you into giving
burglars, muggers, and pickpockets a better chance to do
their dirty work. Crooks love the holidays as much as everyone
else, but chiefly because it's an opportune time for crime.
Homes jam-packed
with glittering gifts. Stores, malls and downtown streets
teeming with unsuspecting shoppers. People rushing around,
stressed out and careless, looking for last-minute gifts,
trying to get everything done. It's enough to make a crook
giddy with holiday joy.
Here are
some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season:
IF
YOU'RE TRAVELING.
Get an
automatic timer for your lights.
Ask a neighbor
to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway
from time to time.
Don't forget
to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles
up, it's a sure sign you're gone.
IF
YOU'RE OUT FOR THE EVENING.
Turn on
lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home.
Be extra
cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave,
even if it's just for a few minutes.
Don't display
gifts where they can be seen from outside.
IF
YOU'RE SHOPPING.
Stay alert
and be aware of what's going on around you.
Park in
a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close
the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
Avoid carrying
large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever
possible. Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden
yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets.
Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.
Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket. Shopping
with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard
if you get separated.
IF
A STRANGER COMES TO THE DOOR, BEWARE.
Criminals
sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. And it's not
uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others' generosity
during the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable
donations when there's no charity involved. Ask for identification,
and find out how the funds will be used. If you aren't satisfied,
don't give. Help a charitable organization you know and like
instead.
Last but
not least, don't let holiday stress get the best of your
holiday spirit. Make time to get together with family, friends,
and neighbors. And think about reaching out in the spirit
of the season and helping someone who's less fortunate or
lonely.
Do your part
to make the holidays a safe and happy time for everybody-except
criminals.
TAKE
A HOLIDAY INVENTORY. The holidays are a good time
to update or create - your home inventory. Take photos
or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial
numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed
inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance
claims easier to file. Make sure things like TVs, VCRs,
stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment,
jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment, and
power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice!
Crime Prevention Tips From:
National
Crime Prevention Council
1700 K Street, NW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20006-3817
and
The National Citizens' Crime Prevention Campaign,
sponsored by the Crime Prevention Coalition
is substantially funded by the Bureau of Justice
Assistance, Office of Justice Programs,
U.S. Department of Justice.
Distribution
assisted by a grant from ADT Security Systems. |
