Holiday Safety
The holiday shopping
season has begun. To help you make this busy time of year a pleasant one, we
offer you some safety tips:
·
Shop
with a friend. Also, some stores provide an escort to your car.
·
Park
in well-lit and well traveled areas. When returning to your vehicle, watch for
anyone hiding in or loitering near your car. If you feel unsafe, return to the
store and ask for assistance from security.
·
Carry
only the cash you need. Use checks or credit cards and avoid carrying a purse,
if possible.
·
Be
cautious when giving out your credit card number over the phone and the
Internet. Know who has access to that information.
·
Be
wise when using ATM machines. Try to use them during daytime hours. If you need
to use them at night, be sure the area is well-lit. Nowadays, a number of
grocery stores have ATM located inside where it is well lit and well populated.
·
Don’t
advertise your purchases, keep them out of sight when shopping. If driving to
several stores, make sure you place valuables/purchases in the trunk before you park and walk away. If close
to home, it would be even better to drop them off.
·
Avoid
displaying presents through your living room window. After presents are opened,
don’t let your trash bins announce the new acquisitions. Record the serial and
model numbers of your gifts before you give them or as soon as you receive
them.
·
Protect
your holiday mail. Empty your mailbox each day; place a lock on it if possible.
Also, when sending mail, use the slots inside the post office to avoid possible
mailbox tampering.
·
Drive
with extra caution. Allow an impatient driver to pass rather than escalate
hostilities. Avoid gridlock.
·
Do not jaywalk. Make sure drivers see you
by taking the time to cross the streets at the corner. During the holidays,
more pedestrians are victims of traffic accidents than at any other time of the
year.
·
Be a
good neighbor. Call the police if you observe people knocking on doors in your
neighborhood without a legitimate reason.
·
Remember
that it is important to report crime. If you report it, the police can allocate
resources where they are most needed.
For more information, call
the Wayne Police Department at 375-2626.
