ENCORE: Johnston Police, Attorney General Offer Shopping Tips

Before you head out on that , the Johnston Police Department and Iowa Attorney General's Office have a few tips to make your holiday shopping experience less of a headache.

"Regarding shopping, it's just a lot of common sense," said Lt. Lynn Aswegan with the . "Keep packages to a minimum. If you have a bunch, take them to your car. Perferably, to the trunk where they can't be seen. Leaving them in the cab area only entices those people with an incentive to break into your car."

A consumer report from Attorney General Tom Miller's office suggests researching before buying.

"Before you buy, make sure it's a good product at a good prices from a good seller," the report said. "Cheaper isn't always a better bargain … before you buy, check around and make sure it's really a good product and a good deal."

When you do find a good deal rummaging through the ads, be sure to bring a copy with you.

"Make sure the product and price match the ad," the report said.

When you take the step to the register, beware and diligent.

"Especially, when paying with cash," Aswegan said. "Don't be displaying or showing a lot of cash. That might register with someone that you would be a good person to steal from."

The Attorney General's Office also released an advisory for charitable giving. Do you donate during the holidays?

When leaving the shopping center, know where your car is located, Aswegan said.

"A lot of people in the rush and bustle, people forget where they parked," he said. "That may not be conducive to the situation if you have a bunco of merchandise or flashed cash in the store.

"Have keys in hand so you're ready to put packages away and close the door, instead of getting to the vehicle and fumbling with your keys. That takes attention away from your surroundings, takes attention away from people that might be coming for you."

Keeping an eye out on your surroundings doesn't end at the store; it continues at home.

"Be cognizant of your home, when you have your curtains open and in front of the window with gifts under the tree, that's a lot of visual enticement for people to take advantage of," Aswegan said.

When discarding boxes after the holiday, be sure not to leave them for everyone to see.

"Say you buy a big screen TV or something and you throw away the cardboard and put it in the trash, people drive by and see that," Aswegan said. "Then they have an indication of what you purchased. People are looking for those things."

While there isn't a history of home burglaries in Johnston during the holidays, they can happen.

"It varies, as with any of our type of residential crimes they can be focused on a particular group or person, it depends on who's out and about," he said. "It's not uncommon, but in Johnston we don't have many residential burglaries."

To be vigilant, Aswegan reminds residents to keep their homes locked and alarms systems activated.

"Don't make it readily obvious for passersby to know you have items of interest in your home," he said.

The Attorney Genreal's advisory also provides tips for:

• online shopping – make sure it's a reputable company
• mail orders – don't send cash or use your debit card
• returns or layaways – know the policies before you purchase

So when you head out the door, be aware and continue when you come home.

Happy shopping!