Holiday Safety Tips

  • Nov 26, 2007

The holiday season is often a joyous time of giving, sharing and spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, this time of year is also shared with a particularly high crime rate. The Texas Crime Prevention Association offers safety tips for a safe and happy holiday season.

At Home

  • Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when leaving home, even for a few minutes.
  • Do not display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.
  • Store gifts away before leaving for a holiday trip.
  • Make sure burglar alarms are in working order and contact information is up to date. Test smoke detectors.
  • Use only fire resistant ornaments on your holiday tree and make sure electric lights are in good working order with no frayed wires.
  • Do not leave holiday lighting on overnight and consider using timers.
  • Keep all outdoor security lighting on from dusk to dawn everyday.
  • Never hang a wreath or decorations on a door that would block the view from the peephole.

The Mail

  • Use Go Direct to switch your federal benefit paper checks such as Social Security or Supplemental Security Income to direct deposit to protect against identity theft and fraud; visit http://www.godirect.org/.
  • When mailing gifts or gift cards to friends or relatives make sure to send them to a secure address and tell someone at the location that they are coming so they can monitor the mail for their arrival.
  • Request that all package deliveries require a signature and are not left on your door step.

While Shopping

  • Shop before dark when possible.
  • Try to coordinate shopping trips with a friend.
  • Never park in unlit parking areas, no matter how convenient it is.
  • Lock all packages in your vehicle's trunk and hide any belongings that you leave in the vehicle.
  • Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed.
  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. When possible, pay for purchases with a credit card or debit card. Monitor your credit accounts for unauthorized activity on a regular basis.
  • Teach your children who to go to in case you become separated in a store, such as a store clerk or security guard. Children should never go into a parking lot alone.
  • Never leave your purse, wallet or cell phone lying in a shopping cart or stroller while shopping.
  • Take your keys out and lock your vehicle while fueling up.

Entertaining

  • When hosting a holiday party, have non-alcoholic beverages available for your guests.
  • Have alternate transportation available for intoxicated persons.
  • If you are hosting, you are responsible. Don't let your guests drink and drive.

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