Holiday Safety
When the holiday season is upon us, so comes the possibility of increased crime and increased stress. The following prevention tips will help you have a safer holiday season.
Protect Your Home
- Lock all your doors and windows when you leave, even if it is just for a few hours
- Keep lights and a radio or TV on, giving the appearance that someone is inside
- Do not leave valuables and gifts where they can be seen from the outside; though gifts look nice under a tree or on display, they send a signal to would be burglars
- If you are leaving town, ask a neighbor to watch your home, stop mail & newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to collect them; fill out a Vacant House Check Card with the OPD
- Take a holiday and home inventory of your home; video or photograph all your valuable items, write down serial numbers; place identifying marks on them
Protect Your Vehicle
- Park inside a garage whenever possible and make sure to close and secure the garage door
- Take all of your valuable out of the vehicle
- Lock the doors and close the windows of the vehicle
- Try to park in well-lit areas when shopping or going out
Protect Yourself and Your Family
- Stay alert and be aware of your surrounding and the people around you
- Be vigilant when shopping, especially when walking through parking lots
- Be cautious of your purse/wallet. Carry a purse close to your body; do not place a purse in a shopping cart; if you carry your wallet in a back pocket, consider moving it to a front pocket
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
- Collect all credit card receipts and ATM receipts and keep them in a pocket; do not leave in bags or ask a merchant to throw away for you
Extended Leave
- If you leave for an extended period of time, follow all of the rules under protect your home
- If you can secure your valuables somewhere other than your house, do so—take them with you or rent a safe deposit box
- Fill out a Vacant House Check form
- Make sure the last person to leave the house knows to secure all doors and windows
- Do not park your vehicle on designated snow routes or city streets in violation of the 72-hour ordinance
For further information regarding identity theft or other crime prevention issues, contact us.