Holiday Traveling Tips
for a
Safe and Happy Holiday Season

This holiday season don’t let the spirit of giving lull you into giving into crime. Thieves like the holidays as much as we do, but mostly because it is an opportunity to commit crime.

I would like to share some tips with you to keep our holidays bright, cheery and safe for all.

• Please look at the safe traveling section of this web page for additional tips in keeping you and your home safe.

Several important tips are listed here:

• Use automatic timers for lights and radios.
• Ask your neighbor to keep an eye on things, as well as
• Shovel your driveway if it snows
• Pick up your mail
• Pick up your newspapers

If you are out for the evening:

• Turn on lights, a television or a radio, so it looks like someone is home.
• Take the extra time to make sure your doors and windows are locked.
• Don’t display holiday gifts in windows or where they can been seed from the outside.

If you are out shopping:

• Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you.
• Park in a well-lighted space.
• Lock your car and close the windows.
• Make sure all your holiday shopping bags are in the trunk so thieves don’t see all the goodies through your window.
• Avoid paying with large amounts of cash, use checks or credit cards whenever possible.
• Deter the pickpocket and purse-snatchers.
  • Don’t overburden yourself with packages.
  • Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.
  • Keep your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.

• If you are shopping with children, remind them to go to a clerk or security guard immediately if you become separated.

Stranger:

• Beware of strangers coming to your door. They may go door-to-door to collect charitable donations when no charity is involved. Ask for identification and find out how the funds will be used. Additional information on charity fraud is available at this web site.

Make a home inventory

The holidays are a good time to update (or create) your home inventory. We have Operation Identification in operation (see this web site for addition information.) Take photographs or home videos of your possessions, list the serial numbers in a booklet we provide. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Operation Identification can stop the crime before it happens.

"Making a list and checking it twice."