Holiday Safety Tips from the Dallas Police Department HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS: Many crimes that happen around the holidays occur in and around your home. HOME December is the peak month for home burglaries. If someone comes to your door and asks to use the phone or asks for help, do not let them in, call 911. Talk to strangers through the door. • Make sure any lock you have is locked at all times. • Mark your property with your Texas driver's license or identification number. • Videotape the interior of your home and property to remember what you have or had. Store the video in a safe place (bank safe deposit). Make sure to include jewelry and new gifts. • If you are going out of town for any holiday, tell a trusted neighbor how to reach you. Call the North Central police station for an extra patrol: 214-670-7253. • Put lights and possibly a radio on timers so the house looks like someone is at home. • If you are expecting any deliveries, have them delivered at your work or to a neighbor that will be at home. • Do not display gifts where they may be seen through a window or doorway. FIRE • Daily, keep natural trees well watered and moist, use a humidifier • Make sure smoke detectors are working • Avoid candles, they cause half of the holiday decoration fires. Assign a "candle-watcher": only rooms with attentive people can have burning candles. BEWARE Many residents will receive telemarketing calls asking for donations. ALWAYS... • Ask if they are registered with the Secretary of State, and what their registration number is. • Ask for a call back number and a direct mailing address and for written literature about both of the organizations to be mailed to you. • Ask what percentage of your money goes for administrative fees. • Never allow them to come out to your home and pick up your cash donation. SMART SHOPPING Prevent purse snatches. Wear a fanny pack, for work and everyday use. If you carry handbags do not lay it on the counter or leave it in your shopping cart. AND if you do leave it in the shopping cart use the baby seat strap to buckle it to the shopping cart. Do not put a shoulder strap bag over your head. • Stash your money in different places in your wallet or keep it on your person in a pocket. • Try not to carry large sums of money. • Teach children how to identify store clerks and ask them for help but never leave the store with anyone. • Shop with a friend and put packages in the trunk. Be cautious if you take packages out to your car and go back in. • Avoid wearing valuable loose fitting jewelry. • After you make a purchase, make sure your have your credit card, correct change, checkbook wallet, identification and handbag before you leave the check out counter. PARKING LOTS Remember that the criminals work in the parking lots. Try to take advantage of valet parking. • Always lock your doors and close the windows of your vehicle. • It is a violation of a Dallas City Ordinance to leave your vehicle unattended and running. • Shopping at night? Park under the light poles. • Do not walk to your car alone if parked in a dark area; call for security to watch as you go to your car and park close to the shopping center. • Do not leave visible items in your car. AT WORK • Carry a small cosmetic bag. • Carry only enough money for meals and breaks. Try to carry money and credit cards on your person. • Personal property needs to be stored in a locked desk or file cabinet drawer, not under the desk or in an unlocked drawer. • Lock any gifts purchased on breaks in a safe place. Remind co-workers to do the same. • Beware of shoppers that are not making any purchases, carrying a camcorder watching, bumping into or rubbing up against others. If you see something that looks suspicious or gets your attention notify the courtesy or /security officers and call 911. • Give a ride home to a co-worker who drank too much at the company party. BUSINESS OWNERS Know and have written policies and procedures for: • Robberies • Shoplifters • Counterfeit bills • The quick change artist • Suspicious Persons Make sure employees/ co-workers know how to get a hold of security in the mall or strip center. And make sure they are not afraid to call security or 911. HERE'S HOW TO RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON... • Leave the doors to the house and garage unlocked or open • Leave property unsecured on your patio, balcony or porch. • Carry lots of cash • Leave empty boxes of your new gifts and purchases out for trash collection • Display gifts in a window inside your . home or in your car. BE HELPFUL DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON: • If someone you know is a crime victim, offer to help with shopping or just listening can be a big help. • Have a neighborhood party that includes elderly residents and people who do not have families nearby. Make this year a safe and happy Holiday Season.