Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season

Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared

 Keep travel plans offline - If you’re planning to travel during the holiday season, be sure to keep
your travel plans off your social media networks. Never post where you’re going, when you’re
leaving, or when you’ll be back.
 Notify a neighbor - If you decide to go out of town during the holidays, be sure to notify a
trusted neighbor. Ask them to keep an eye on your house and report any suspicious activity.
 Watch your Christmas lights / other Appliances & electric devices - Fire hazards increase during
the holidays. Before you string lights on the house or the tree, be sure to inspect the strands for
frayed cords or cracked lamps. To prevent an accidental fire, replace any broken lamps, and
throw away strands with frayed cords.
 Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave
 Get an automatic timer for your lights.
 Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

Shopping for the Holidays?

 Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
 Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide
shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
 Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around
the car before getting in.
 Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
 Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be
extra careful with purses, wallets, and cell phones. Carry a purse close to your body, not
dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
 Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get
separated. Make sure your child has a contact number for you. If the children are too
small to remember the contact number, pin a copy of the number (or write it) on the
inside of their jackets.

Celebrate Responsibly
The holiday season is a time of celebration and revelry. Drinking and driving is a danger to everyone on the
road. Anyone driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and similar substances is a violation of
the law and may go to jail. Remember that the risk isn't worth it—if you choose to drink alcohol at a party,
don't drive. Take a cab, use public transportation or a designated driver, or call your family to pick you up.
Have fun, but remember to celebrate responsibly.