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

For further information regarding identity theft or other crime prevention issues, contact us.