Holiday Safety
The Holidays are always exciting with shopping, presents and family!
However, crooks love the opportunities this time of year provides. While
there’s no need to be afraid, you should keep in mind the following holiday
safety reminders to keep you from being victimized.
Holiday Tips:
For emergencies, call 911
Vehicles:
Holidays requires extra driving precautions.
◊ Keep emotions under control and give other
drivers space
◊ Allocate extra time and prepare for winter
conditions
◊ Use a designated driver if drinking alcohol
◊ Take frequent breaks during long trips
◊ Store valuables (presents) in the trunk
◊ Don’t leave your purse on top of the car
◊ Have keys ready before arriving at your car
◊ Do not approach your car if suspicious people
are nearby
◊ Buckle up!
at Home:
Don’t get careless during the holiday rush.
◊ Lock doors & windows with secondary locks
◊ Ensure doors and dark areas of the yard are lit
◊ Gifts shouldn’t be visible through the windows
◊ Do not open the door to strangers
◊ If traveling, ask a friend to watch your home
◊ Do not block the door with the Christmas tree
◊ Use a sturdy base on your Christmas tree
◊ Water your Christmas tree and never leave the
lights on when away from home
◊ Do not burn wrapping paper in your fi replace
◊ Flatten boxes and conceal product pictures
when putting garbage outside
◊ Be alert! Criminals may pose as couriers
While Shopping:
Shopping presents unique dangers as people
usually carry more money and gifts than at other
time of the year.
◊ Be aware of your setting and strangers
◊ Trust your instincts - If you are uncomfortable
with a person or place, get away
◊ Keep your cash in a front pocket and carry your
purse close to the body
◊ Immediately notify your credit card company if
your card is lost, stolen or misused
◊ Never leave buildings until you believe
everything is safe
◊ Dress casually and comfortably
◊ Shop with a friend or family member
◊ Never overburden yourself with packages
◊ Only use ATM’s during daylight hours or in well
lit public places
◊ Never leave your purse in the shopping cart
Children:
The Holidays present potentially dangerous
situations for children. Keep them safe.
◊ Keep children close at all times!
◊ Before shopping, select a meeting spot in case
children get separated
◊ Always accompany children to the rest room
◊ Teach children their full name, address and
telephone number for police offi cers or store
security in case they get lost
◊ Never leave children alone in the car
Be happy - Be secure - Be safe!
Stay alert when out and about.
Check financial statements for bad
charges.
Don’t drink and drive...
02-10
T
I
P
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www.ci.lake-stevens.wa.us
cbrooks@ci.lake-stevens.wa.us
Lake Stevens Police Department
