| Holiday Safety Tips From The Shelby Police Department |
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During the busy holiday season, it is easy for us to drop our guard and become complaisant with our surroundings with everything going on around us. This is a time of year that we should be extra careful, since it’s a peak season for burglars, pick-pockets, purse snatchers, shoplifters and con artists. Here are some things you can do to help make the holidays a safe and happy time for you and your family.
At Home
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even for a few minutes.
• Don’t display gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store gifts before you go away on a holiday trip.
• If you go out in the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• If you go away for a few days, get an automatic timer for your lights. Have a neighbor watch your house, pick up the mail and newspapers, and park his or her car in your driveway from time to time.
• Be wary of strangers coming to the door asking for charitable donations. They may be taking advantage of people’s generosity during the holidays. Instead, help charitable organizations you know.
• Teach your children not to play with tree lights or electric connections.
• Use only fire resistant ornaments on your tree and make sure lights are in good working order. Don’t leave the lights on overnight or when you are out.
• Test your smoke detectors.
While Shopping
• Stay alert to your surroundings. If you see people loitering in parking garages, parking lots, and outside of stores, go the other way.
• Coordinate shopping trips with a friend if you plan to be out late. Never park in an unlit lot, no matter how convenient it is.
• Lock your car and close the windows, even if you’re gone only a few minutes. Secure packages in the trunk.
• Park near street lights if possible and have your keys in hand when you return to the car. Check the interior of your car before getting inside.
• To discourage purse snatchers, don’t overburden yourself with packages.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible. Be sure to put the receipt in your purse or wallet. Never leave it in the bag.
• Don’t carry excess credit cards. Take only those cards for the stores where you intend to shop.
• Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse under your arm. Keep a wallet in an inside jacket pocket, not a back trouser pocket.
• Teach your children to go to a store clerk or security guard and ask for help if they become separated in a store or shopping mall.
At Work
• Lock any gifts you’ve bought in a safe place. Remind co-workers to do the same.
• Be especially careful to keep your purse or wallet with you at all times or locked in a drawer or closet.
• Thieves may try to take advantage of the holiday mood and employees inattention to steal items from businesses. If you see unauthorized people in places they shouldn’t be, notify the appropriate authorities.
In Your Neighborhood
• Help keep the holidays happy for everyone by being extra alert. If a neighbor’s going away, offer to take in the mail and papers.
• Have a Neighborhood Watch party that includes everyone. Don’t forget the elderly and other people who might be especially lonely during the holidays.
The Shelby Police Department wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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