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Holiday Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

WITH THE HOLIDAYS APPROACHING QUICKLY, CAPTAIN FRANCIS J. BACHMAYER  AND OFFICERS OF THE 15TH DISTRICT WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE WISHES FOR A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY.

TAKE A MINUTE TO REVIEW SOME “HOLIDAY CRIME PREVENTION TIPS”

  • WHEN COOKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS, NEVER LEAVE COOKING UNATTENDED
  • ALWAYS TURN POT HANDLES INWARD TO PREVENT SPILL INJURIES
  • KEEP OVENS CLEAN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY DO NOT USE THE OVEN TO HEAT THE HOUSE

HOME SAFETY

  • KEEP THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME WELL-LIT WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS LOCKED
  • CHECK WATER LEVEL ON YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE  DAILY TO PREVENT DRYING OUT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE HAZARD
  • CAREFULLY INSPECT LIGHTS AND CORDS BEFORE USING THEM
  • DO NOT DISPLAY GIFTS BENEATH THE TREE THAT CAN BE SEEN FROM WINDOWS OR DOORS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS
  • DO NOT ADVERTISE GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE BOXES YOU PUT OUT IN YOUR WEEKLY COLLECTION.  DESTROY BOXES AND PLACE THEM IN NON-CLEAR GARBAGE BAGS
  • BE AWARE THAT CRIMINALS SOMETIMES POSE AS COURIERS DELIVERING GIFTS
  • CRIMINALS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GENEROSITY OF PEOPLE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY SOLICITING DONATIONS DOOR TO DOOR FOR CHARITABLE CAUSES, ALTHOUGH NO CHARITY IS INVOLVED.  ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION AND FIND OUT HOW DONATED FUNDS WILL BE USED, ALL THE WHILE KEEPING SCREEN DOORS LOCKED,  ANY QUESTIONS CALL 911

SHOPPING SAFETY

  • TRY TO SHOP DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. IF NOT TRY TO HAVE SOMEONE SHOP WITH YOU AT NIGHTTIME
  • STAY ALERT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS……WATCH FOR STRANGERS APPROACHING YOU FOR ANY REASON AT THIS TIME OF YEAR “CON-ARTISTS” MAY TRY VARIOUS METHODS OF DISTRACTING YOU WITH THE INTENTION OF TAKING MONEY OR BELONGINGS
  • AVOID CARRYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH
  • DO NOT LEAVE PACKAGES OR VALUABLES ON YOUR CAR SEATS. LOCK THEM IN THE TRUNK
  • CHECK YOUR VEHICLE BEFORE GETTING INTO IT FOR SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE HIDING NEAR OR IN IT
  • NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAR UNOCCUPIED WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING OR WITH CHILDREN INSIDE

AS ALWAYS IF YOU SEE ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY CALL 911