Safety Tips for the holidays from the 4th Precinct

Its that time again! The holidays are a wonderful time of year to celebrate with family and friends but I would like you to take a few minutes out of your day to read the following helpful tips I have compiled. Most of them are applicable for any time of the year. These are not to make you paranoid but to keep you safe.
First I want to address shopping and while this may sound as though I am picking on the women it needs to be put out there. I myself witness this every single time I am in a store that utilizes shopping carts. Ladies, please do not place your pocketbook in the cart. It takes 2 seconds for a thief to snag your purse while you are taking that can off the shelf. Wrapping it around your wrist before placing it in the cart does not offer you any extra protection. It only gets you a sprained wrist or knocked onto the floor. I know pocketbooks are the "it" accessory but take a few minutes to think about security when purchasing a bag. You should look for a zippered opening, a wide open bag just held together with a snap is an invitation. It shouldn't be so large that you couldn't feel or see someone reaching into it. Think about the cross body bags, the 80's fanny pack or even just taking the essentials with you while you shop. Wallet and keys in one pocket. Cell phone in the other.
Once outside the store and going to your car, limit your distractions. Get off the phone. Check your receipts later. Look around. Hopefully if it is dark out you parked near a light if it was available. Always think, is a thief watching me? Am I a target? Do you have a purse swinging low on your arm? Do you have small children that are commanding your attention? When you are loading and unloading your car where is your purse? In the cart? In the car? If it's in the car did you think about locking all the doors and only opening the trunk separately as you load in your purchases?
Sometimes shopping takes on a life of its own and we go to the car to drop off our goodies and go back into the stores. Good idea…but you may want to think about leaving that parking spot and parking elsewhere before going back in. Not convenient, but if I was a thief and I just saw you do that I now know I have a decent window of opportunity to pop that trunk lock and remove the entire contents of your trunk. People could walk by and it would probably not raise an eyebrow.
Gift cards are a great idea, however look to purchase the ones that are behind the counter and not in a accessible display area. For the technically savvy thief there is a way to gain information from the gift card that once purchased by you allows them to gain access to that same card and use the monetary value up all before you even have given it as a gift. Stealing without even removing the card off the rack.
I don't sign the back of my credit cards. Instead I write "Please ask for I.D." in a heat proof, chemical proof Sharpie type marker. It doesn’t always happen but more and more sales people are checking. I show my license and continue with the transaction.
If you don't already, start monitoring your credit. Think about placing a lock on your credit so a would be thief cannot open up new credit in your name. There are several credit monitoring companies that offer services to protect you from just that. Periodically check your minor children's credit. They too have social security numbers that can be compromised. Shred all paper that has any identifying information about you. Look for a cross cut type shredder. It's an extra expense but it may be well worth it.
Soak or scratch off your labels on all of your prescriptions bottles before discarding them.
When fueling up self service, remove your keys from the car. Take with you only the money you will need or the single credit card you will be using. Lock the doors and then fuel up. Ignore the TV ads they now have, it’s a distraction. Look around you and again…off the phone.
Its now gotten darker earlier, many of us come home to a darkened home. Purchasing some timers to turn on sporadic interior lighting is a good idea. Exterior lighting is very important. Your home doesn't need to look like the runway at an airport but it should be well lit and no areas with high/ dense shrubs close to the home. Basement windows are an easy way for a burglar to gain access to your house. Have them alarmed. Look into barrier bars. Have a deadbolt on the basement door that accesses the first floor. If an intruder does get in he or she only has access to the basement and will have an interesting time climbing out of those small basement windows. Another deterrent is some low thorny bushes around the window wells. Patio/Sliding doors tend to have the flimsiest locking mechanisms. Bars or extra locks are helpful. Can't afford an alarm system? Get the stickers and the lawn decals.
If you are going away for the holidays, tell a neighbor or two. Have them park in your driveway or in front of your home. Ask them to pick up your mail/packages and even place their garbage pail at your curb once in awhile.
After you removed your Wii, Flat screen or DVD player from its box, break it down or cut them up with the inside facing out before placing at the curb. Why advertise what can be stolen from your home?
I know this was lengthy but sometimes we all can use a safety reminder. I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Happy Holidays

Just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. May you all find peace, joy, health and prosperity this season.

Warmest regards,

Your Neighborhood Watch Captain