Safety Bulletin: Holiday Home Safety

Submitted by the La Grange Park Police Department.
Image via shutterstock.

Don’t let the rush and excitement of the holiday season make you careless in protecting your home from potential criminals.

The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime.

The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.

• When you leave the house, leave a radio or television on so that the house seems occupied.
• Lock the doors and windows of your house, even if you are leaving for just a few minutes.
• Take a friend or family member with you when you go shopping at night.
• Pay for purchases with a check or credit/debit card and avoid carrying large sums of cash.
• When you do carry cash while shopping, carry it in your front pocket.
• If you use an ATM machine, always use one in a secure location such as inside a mall or store.
• When you use an ATM machine, shield your PIN number from the view of others.
• Make sure that you take your purchase or ATM receipts with you, rather than putting them into the trash.
• Always park in a well-lighted area.
• Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.
• Get your keys out before you approach your parked vehicle.
• Place packages in the trunk of your car or out-of-sight from potential thieves.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or watches while shopping.
• Instruct your child to contact a store clerk for help if you become separated.
• Have a record of all your credit card numbers in a secure place.