Holiday Safety Tips

Homes jam-packed with the glitter of gift packages. Stores, malls and streets teeming with unsuspecting shoppers. People rushing around, stressed out and careless, looking for last-minute gifts, trying to get everything done. Yes, the holidays are fast approaching.

The following tips are suggested to help keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season.

• Get automatic timers for your lights at home. Remember to set them at different times. Make sure to try them the day before you leave, just to make sure they are set properly.
• Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time. Have them set one of their trash cans out as if yours on pickup day.
• Don't forget to have mail and newspapers picked up by a neighbor, or delivery stopped. It is especially important that neighbors pick up flyers and pamphlets that are not sent by regular mail
• Don't leave holiday packages where they can be seen. 
• When you arrive at your destination, even if a hotel room, make sure to use the same safety tips as you do at home.
• Make sure your cellular telephone is in working order in case of emergency.
• Make sure your vehicle is in good running order.
• Pack a survival kit for emergencies -- blanket, candles, radio, non-perishable food, bottled water, games for children.  Keep the kit in your vehicle throughout the winter months.

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave your house or apartment, even for a few minutes. And don't forget to lock them when you are at home. 
• Don't display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store them away until needed. Even empty wrapped boxes are inviting to criminals. 
• Make sure to keep ALL receipts for purchases, not only to make needed exchanges but also to check against credit card statements. 
• Mark all new purchases of electronic equipment with identification numbers, and keep a record of the serial number, make, and model for insurance. 
• Jewelry and expensive clothing should have identification marks or engravings of some type. 
• Be wary of solicitations for charitable donations. If in doubt, call the telephone number of the organization in the telephone directory. 
• Check your credit history after the holidays to make sure your identity has not been comprised.
• Test smoke detectors and replace batteries.
• Use only fire resistant ornaments on a holiday tree, and make sure electric lights are in good working order. Don't leave them on overnight or when you are away, even if only for a short time.
• If you have a fireplace, make sure to keep your tree and other decorations at a safe distance from the fire box.
• If you have houseguests, advise them of your security precautions and make sure they follow them.
• Be extra careful of strangers coming to your door. Criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. The applies to businesses as well as residences.
• After the fun, don't take the boxes from expensive gifts to the trash without cutting them up and taking any identifiable information from them. If your community has a recycling bin close, cut the boxes up and put them in it. At the very least, put boxes inside a non-clear trash bag.

• Shop before dark if possible, and with a friend. Park only in well-lighted parking lots. 
• Lock your packages and gifts in your vehicle's trunk. Keep your vehicle's doors locked and windows closed. 
• Avoid carrying large sums of money. Pay for purchases with a check, credit card, or debit card when possible. 
• To discourage purse-snatches, don't overburden yourself with packages. Have your purchases delivered whenever practical. 
• Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry only what you need, and put it in a pocket. 
• Teach children to go to a store clerk or police officer and ask for help if you become separated. They should never go into the parking lot alone. Identity a place inside the mall to meet if you become separated. 
• Make sure to purchase age-appropriate gifts for children.
• If you shop on-line, make sure to use good judgment.  Use only one credit card for all such purchases, and make sure to keep a record of your purchases and check them against the credit statement when it arrives.  Do not use this card for any other types of purchases.  Keep the credit limit on the card low.

• Do not leave children alone in vehicles.
• Make sure that children are aware of your plans and that you pick a place to meet inside the mall if you are separated.
• Make sure children know your rules about telling strangers of your family's plans for the holidays, such as travel plans. 
• Make sure that small children know their name, address and a telephone number to contact a parent if an emergency arises. 
• If during the holidays, children are to be left home alone with they are out of school, make sure that they are ready for the responsibility of being alone. 
• Set house rules and make sure the children understand them and feel safe with them. Be sure to include visitors to the home while you are gone. 
• Make sure that a trusted neighbor knows children are alone and what your rules are.

• Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests. 
• Serve something to eat before serving alcoholic beverages. 
• Have alternative transportation for intoxicated persons. Don't let guests drink and then drive. If necessary, employ a designated driver for your guests.