Holiday Safety: Tips for Safe and Happy Holidays

Yesterday I had to make a quick stop at the Salisbury Police Station to have someone sign off on a minor repair order that I got last Friday and I was happy to find this awesome pamphlet "Holiday Safety: Tips for Safe and Happy Holidays" displayed in plain view. I think that it is wonderful that the Salisbury Police are being pro-active about crime against their constituents in a holiday season that is quickly turning out to full of thefts and robberies - many of them armed.

If you are not from this small podunk little area called the Delmarva Peninsula (or the Eastern Shore) you may not realize how much such a high crime rate affects us. You see, we may be a little slower here, but we are a very caring group of people and normally we don't have such nastiness prevalent here.

So, to help keep my family, friends, and neighbor's safe this holiday season I am passing on the information from this pamphlet "Holiday Safety: Tips for Safe and Happy Holidays" originally from the National Crime Prevention Council and Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute.

If you are traveling:
Get an automatic timer for your lights.
Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.
Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone.

If you're out for the evening:
Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home.
Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it's just for a few minutes.
Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

If you're shopping:
Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, pay with a check or credit (debit) card whenever possible.
Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't over burden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

If a stranger comes to the door, BEWARE:

Criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. And it's not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others' generosity during the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable donations when there's no charity involved. Ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be used. If you aren't satisfied, don't give. Help a charitable organization you know and like instead.

Last but not least, don't let holiday stress get the best of your holiday spirit. Make time to get together with family, friends, and neighbors. And think about reaching out in the spirit of the season and helping someone who's less fortunate or lonely.

Do your part to make the holidays a safe and happy time for everybody - except criminals!!!

Source:

National Crime Prevention Council and Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute
http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/traveling/holiday%20safety%20-%20tips%20for%20safe%20and%20happy%20holidays.pdf
"Holiday Safety: Tips for Safe and Happy Holidays"