As the mad rush of another holiday season approaches, we start the never-ending sprint to complete all our holiday tasks, sometimes dropping our guard.
During these periods, criminals capitalise on poor security, lack of attention and the euphoria to launch attacks on unsuspecting victims.
Stories of houses getting burgled while the family is out on holiday or at church service on New Year’s Eve are very familiar.
Likewise, the police have recorded many cases involving pickpockets, armed robbers and confidence tricksters around this periods over the years,
To help you steer clear of danger, here are 20 holiday season safety rules for you and your family to celebrate the yuletide without any incident.
- Never carry large amounts of cash. If you must, put it in your front pocket and try not to display it when paying for things at the market or the mall.
- Try to avoid driving alone or at night.
- As you approach or leave your vehicle, always be aware of your immediate surroundings.
- Never leave gifts or anything of value visible inside your vehicle.
- Never put your purse in the trunk before entering a store. It doesn’t work, and thieves watch for you to do this in parking lots. It’s better to take the purse with you and carry it safely.
- Don’t approach your car alone if suspicious people are in the area.
- Keep all your car doors locked, and your windows closed while in or out of your car. Be sure to set your alarm or use an anti-theft device if you have one.
- If you must shop at night, park in a well-lit area – avoid parking in areas that do not have lights.
- Park as close as you can to your destination, and be sure to note where you parked.
- Do not leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children or pets inside.
- Theft and burglary tend to rise during holidays. The best thing to do is to make sure you secure everything you can. Mark belongings with indelible marks and lock up homes, cars and trucks.
- If you travel, get someone to check on your home. You can ask a friend or neighbour to check on your house every now and then and give you an update.
- Beware of goods sold at prices cheaper than reasonable market rates.
- Avoid late-night outings if you can.
- Be careful about what you share. Don’t reveal sensitive personal information, e.g home address, financial information, phone number, and the fact that you have travelled, etc.
- Leave outside lights on at night (or set them with a timer to switch on at night) when you leave during the day. When not at home, leave on some lights inside to show someone is at home. Thieves usually don’t approach homes that appear occupied.
- When you detect a fault in your door locks, alarm systems or smoke detectors, repair them immediately. Check your security devices (CCTV) regularly to be sure they are working properly.
- Check your door locks and windows anytime you return from outside.
- Good blinds or curtains may prevent robbers from looking inside your home and being tempted by all the valuables they see. Install blinds or curtains that completely block the view from outside, and make sure you close them when you go out. That way, you will keep wandering eyes from scanning your valuables and reduce your risk of break-ins.
- Avoid sharing or posting live pictures or videos, particularly on social media. The more you post, the easier it is to have your identity stolen.