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Plumsted
Police Offer Holiday Season Safety Tips!!
As
the holiday season approaches, the
Plumsted Police Department,
would like to offer this comprehensive list of tips to help
keep residents safe while traveling, shopping, walking,
while at home and Computer Protection Tips. While
opportunities for robberies and burglaries increase during
the holiday season, many robberies and burglaries can be
prevented by keeping these safety tips in mind.
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Holiday Season Traveling Tips:
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Plan on needing extra time to
get to your final destination.
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Make sure all vehicle occupants
wear their safety belt.
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Leave the proper amount of space between your car and the car in
front of you. (One car length for every ten miles per hour).
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Adjust your speed to road, weather and traffic conditions
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Plan regularly scheduled breaks when traveling long distances.
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Have your car serviced before undertaking a lengthy trip.
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Be prepared should your car become disabled. Have the proper
emergency equipment with you. For example: spare tire, lug
wrench, jack, flashlight, road flares or other illuminating devices,
warm clothing as temperatures can dip well below freezing at this
time of year. A cell phone is also invaluable in emergencies.
You can reach the police and in turn all other emergency services in
New Jersey by dialing 911 on your cell phone.
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Don’t
drink and drive. If you plan on celebrating with alcohol, plan
on staying over or plan on having a designated driver
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When shopping:
- Do not become distracted by your shopping. Stay
alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
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Park in well-lit parking lots and park as close to the
mall or store as possible.
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Lock your car doors and keep packages hidden in the
trunk of or under the seats of your vehicle.
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Do not carry large amounts of cash with you and pay with
checks or credit cards when possible.
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Ensure that you are not encumbered with a large number
of packages. Try to make trips back to your vehicle to
store packages in the trunk as you continue to shop.
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Carry your closed purse as close to your body as
possible.
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Carry a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
When out walking:
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Wherever you are, on the street, in an office building
or shopping mall, or waiting for a bus or the subway,
stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
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When out stay in groups of people if possible.
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Walk with confidence and know where you are going.
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Trust your instincts; if something or someone makes you
uneasy, avoid the person or leave the area.
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Stick to well-lighted and well-traveled streets. Avoid
shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
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Do not flash large amounts of cash or other tempting
targets like expensive jewelry or clothing.
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Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the
door.
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If you think that someone is following you, switch
directions or cross the street and walk toward an open
store, restaurant, or lighted house.
If someone does try to rob you, don’t resist. Give up
your property – do not endanger your life. Dial
911 and report the crime to police as soon as
possible, and try to describe the attacker accurately. Your
rapid reporting of the incident may prevent others from
becoming victims.
When at home:
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If your Christmas tree can be seen through a window, do
not display presents under the tree where they could be
seen.
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Make sure to lock doors and windows.
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If you are going away for the holiday, let a neighbor
know that your home will not be occupied and have
someone pick up your mail and newspapers.
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Used time lights to give the appearance that someone is
at home.
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After the holidays, be sure to break down card boards
boxes from gifts for recycling so that a potential
burglar does not know your home has a new computer, TV,
video game system, etc.
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Invest in buying timers for a few lights in separate rooms
throughout their home to keep the interior well lit and seemingly
occupied from 6-12pm.
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Cancel your newspaper and arrange for a neighbor to collect mail and
packages that arrive while the family plans to be away.
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Have a neighbor remove all snow from walkways and driveways while
you’re away. If this is not possible, have a friend put tire tracks
in your driveway to make it appear that someone is there;
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Make sure to keep big-ticket items, such as gifts, out of windows;
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Have a friend move your car occasionally if it is parked in the
driveway;
Holiday Season Computer Protection Tips:
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Stick to reputable
charities and do not get mixed up in emails, letters or scammers
who knock at your door or come to you in person.
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password protect all accounts the new year is a great time to notify
banks and change passwords online and offline to add that layer of
protection that many forget about. It is free and easy to do and
worth the trouble.
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Think of passwords that won’t be guessed by savvy predators. So no
birthday, high school or maiden name be creative!
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Educate your children regarding online safety. Talk to your children
young and old about their “sharing” and behavior online and off.
The officers of Plumsted Police Department would like to wish the
residents a safe and happy holiday season.
Please keep these safety tips in mind to help ensure that everyone has a
safe and happy holiday season.
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