Shopping

• Using debit or credit cards is much safer than carrying cash.

If the stores you will visit don’t take credit cards, consider obtaining traveler’s checks, which can be replaced if lost or stolen. Make sure you sign the back of your credit and debit cards.

• Carry purses with straps close to your body, and away from aisles, especially when walking in the parking lot.

If someone grabs your purse, let it go. Your safety is more important than your property. Carry minimal cash and valuables. Carry cash in your front pockets.

When parking

• Roll up the windows, lock the vehicle, take the keys, and conceal valuables (preferably in the trunk). If your vehicle doesn’t have a trunk, place your valuables out of plain view. During hours of darkness, park and walk in lighted areas to the extent possible.

When returning to your vehicle

• Carry your keys in your hand and be ready to unlock the door and enter as quickly as possible. Wait to use your remote control to unlock the doors until you are close enough to look around. As you approach your vehicle, scan the area, glance underneath the vehicle, and take a quick look inside before entering.

• Stay alert while loading items into or out of the vehicle

• If someone approaches, and you feel threatened, get in and lock up until they leave the area; if they loiter, drive away.

• Visit ATMs only at well-lighted and populated locations

• If anyone is loitering, or making you uncomfortable, go to another ATM. Stand so that those behind you cannot see your PIN as you enter it; your PIN should NEVER be written down on, or carried with, your ATM card. If the ATM appears to be tampered with, do not use it.

• Be on the lookout for card skimming devices. If the ATM looks like it has been tampered with, do not use it. Call the police.

Holiday travel plans

• Keep your travel plans offline

If you are planning to travel during the holiday season, be sure to keep your travel plans off your social media networks. Never post where you are going, when you are leaving, or when you will be back. This is prime information for a thief because they will know when your house will be empty. Even if you have the highest-level of security on your Facebook or Twitter accounts, posting this personal information is never recommended.

• Notify a neighbor

If you are planning to go out of town during the holiday season, be sure to notify a trusted neighbor. Ask the neighbor to keep an eye on your house and report any suspicious activity. You’ll also want this neighbor to keep your walks cleared of snow and to pick up your mail and newspapers while you are away. Make sure your house looks like somebody is home to deter a burglar.

Burglary prevention

• Lock Doors and windows

• Lock your vehicles, homes, garages and businesses when you leave even if it is just for a few minutes. Burglars look for easy targets and crimes of opportunity. Taking the simple steps of locking up can prevent burglary and theft crimes.

• Light up your house

Use exterior lighting and motion sensors to light up your house at night. The extra lighting will make it more difficult for burglars to intrude without being seen.

• Hide any Christmas gifts

You probably want to keep gifts out of sight from children, but you also want to make sure gifts are hidden from a potential burglar as well. Putting wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree looks nice, but it’s also an open invitation for a burglar. Try to keep your Christmas tree, with gifts underneath, away from windows or other places with a view. When you aren’t home, it’s easy to break through a window and grab all of your gifts.

• Take care of your electronics as well, those that are meant as gifts and those already in the home. Keep cameras, CDs, DVD players, computers, and iPads within your view and out of sight for a burglar.

• After Christmas day, don’t pile up empty gift boxes from your new computer, DVD player, or stereo receiver on the street for trash collection. Burglars appreciate knowing you have expensive gifts inside for them to steal. Break the boxes down or cut them up to conceal the items better.

Celbrate responsibly

• Take steps to make sure you and everyone you celebrate with avoids driving under the influence.

Plan ahead

• Always designate a sober driver before any holiday party or celebration begins.

Take the keys

• Don’t let friends drive if they are impaired.

• Be a helpful host

If you’re hosting a party this holiday season, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver; offer alcohol-free beverages; and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.

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Mike Tupper is the Marshalltown Police Chief