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| Holiday Security Tips |
The holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s is a busy shopping and travel period. It is the most heavily traveled time of the year. Unfortunately, it is also a time of year when criminal activity increases dramatically. The following security related tips are provided to assist you in planning for a safe and secure holiday period. Before You Shop Carry only small amounts of cash and only the credit cards you need. Avoid going to ATMs at night, especially if you are alone. Carry your keys, cash and credit cards separate from each other. Be alert and cautious when using ATM machines. Avoid using ATMs in secluded locations. While Shopping Carry your bag or purse close to your body and always zipped. Always carry wallets in your front pockets. Do not leave your bags unattended when shopping or paying for an item. If necessary, place your bags between your feet and the counter or the rack. Leave the store well before closing time. This way, there is greater assurance you will walk out with other people. There is safety in numbers. Be vigilant when hurried or in a crowded shop. Make sure you get all forms of ID and credit cards returned to you before leaving. Always be vigilant and use your “street smarts”. Parking Lots Park your car as close to the store entrance as possible and in well-lit areas. Avoid parking next to large vehicles, bushes, or dumpsters. Walk in areas that are open and well lit. If available, ask security to escort you to your vehicle if you are leaving late at night. Some people have tendencies to get into their cars and just sit balancing their checkbooks or checking lists. Do not do this. As soon as you get into the car, lock the doors and leave. When getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage: o BE AWARE o LOOK AROUND YOU o LOOK INTO YOUR CAR (floor boards, front and rear) Always have your car keys in your hand to ensure easy access to your vehicle. If you feel threatened, press the alarm button on your car remote. If the alarm goes off on the car, it will normally discourage would be perpetrators. If you are leaving an area and a van with side sliding doors is parked beside your vehicle, enter your vehicle from the opposite side door. Check around and inside your car as you approach it. Look at the car parked next to either side of your vehicle. If someone is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back to where you came from and have someone walk with you to your vehicle. If you notice a large flyer on your windshield after you get into your car, do not get out to dispose of it. Drive to another area to remove the flyer. Use of flyers is a common carjacking technique. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at night. Use the buddy system if possible when shopping. There is safety in numbers. You don't want to be taken by surprise. Keep your packages stored out of sight in the trunk of your car if you are going to continue shopping at another location. At Home Keep windows locked. Don’t forget to use deadbolts. Keep garages and sheds locked. Use timers to turn certain lights and a television or radio. Don’t overload electric circuits with holiday lighting. Remember to unplug your tree at night. Remember to set your security alarm system when you leave. Don't leave a spare key in a 'secret' hiding place. Experienced burglars know the hiding spots better than you do. Lock your power box with an electricity authority lock (lock to which you and the electric company have a key) so that your home security alarm system can't be cut off from the power supply. Keep gifts (and purses) hidden from view through outside windows. After opening gifts, break down cardboard boxes to avoid revealing your purchase of expensive electronics or other valuable items. Check your bills and bank statements for unauthorized charges and withdrawals. If you suspect identify theft, immediately call a consumer-reporting company, close the suspect accounts, and report it to the police. Phone numbers for reporting ID theft: Equifax Credit Bureau – Fraud (800) 525-6285 TransUnion Credit Bureau – Fraud (800) 680-7289 Federal Trade Commission (877) IDTHEFT Holiday Travel Safety Tips Pre-plan your trip, including scheduled rest stops and quiet activities that small children can do in the vehicle. Leave your itinerary with a trusted neighbor or friend so that someone knows where you are. Request that the post office hold your mail and cancel any other regular home deliveries, or ask a neighbor or friend to take in newspapers and empty your mailbox daily. Get a neighbor to park their car in your driveway at different times. Ensure that the contact numbers you have programmed into your home security alarm system are people that definitely can be contacted. Make sure they are not also away on holidays. Provide a trusted friend with a spare key and the PIN number for your home security alarm system so they can get into the house and adjust the curtains, blinds, etc. If traveling by car, keep doors locked and windows rolled up. Maintain at least half a tank of fuel, and keep vehicle in good repair. If planning a "road trip" over the holidays, have your vehicle serviced prior to the trip. Don’t forget to check the spare tire. Keep spare fuses, a flashlight, and a "breakdown kit" in your vehicle at all times. Breakdown kits may be purchased from a variety of sources, or you can assemble your own at any auto parts or hardware store using a commercial version as a guideline. Minimally, a "breakdown kit" should include a thermal blanket, flares and/or reflectors, a "HELP" sign or flag, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, a gallon of water, a shovel, and a bag of sand or salt for traction in case you get stuck on snow or ice. When staying at hotels, always use the main entrance, especially after dark. Do not open your hotel room door without first verifying the identity of the person requesting access. If an unexpected delivery comes to your room, do not open the door without first checking with the hotel desk clerk. Once you are inside your hotel room, identify fire escape routes and read the fire safety instructions that are posted in your room. Do not wear valuable jewelry while traveling. Avoid anything that draws attention to you and conveys affluence. When traveling, never check a laptop computer in as luggage. Never use a laptop computer in public where others can look over your shoulder and get information. Avoid eating a heavy meal before leaving on a trip. An empty stomach will help keep you from feeling tired or sleepy while driving. Allow extra distance when following other vehicles on winter roads. Do not stop to assist strangers whose vehicles have broken down. Instead, remember the location and phone for help to assist them. |
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