According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there is a combined national increase of burglaries in the U.S. from November through December each year, nearing 400,000.
Here are a few tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe during the holidays.
Shopping Tips
- Always try to shop with other people
- Keep one arm free at all times
- Take your bags out to your car periodically and make sure they are secure in your trunk
- If possible try not to shop with small children during the holidays
- Park your vehicle in a well-lit well-traveled area of the parking lot
- Observe your surroundings before exiting and entering your vehicle
- Lock and secure your doors and trunk
- Stay alert at all times
Donation Precautions
- Make sure that the charity you are donating to is legitimate
- Make sure that your money is going to a worthy cause
- Ask questions and for identification
- Call and verify the organization
- Pay by check and never cash
- Be cautious of charities that offer to send a courier to pick up your donation
Car Safety Tips
- Never get into a stranger’s car or lean into a stranger’s car with your back to the person. Just because someone seems old or disabled doesn’t mean they can’t hurt you. Women have a tendency to be sympathetic, make sure these sympathies are not played on.
- If you are thrown into the trunk of a car kick out the tail lights and stick your hand out the holes and wave your arm about. The driver will not see this but all passing vehicles will.
- If someone pulls up to you in a car pointing a gun at you telling you to get in, DO NOT get in, start running away from the car toward its rear and start screaming.
- If someone has gotten into your passenger side door or into the backseat and is telling you to drive them somewhere do not drive off, instead drive into a stationary object and get out of the car and run.
- Avoid parking next to large trucks or vans. If a van parks next to your driver’s side door, climb into your car from the passenger side so you cannot be pulled into the van via the sliding side door.