FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS

NNPD offers holiday safety tips.

In an effort to make the Holiday Season as enjoyable as possible, the Newport News police Department would like to remind the community to be vigilant in their safety and security. Included below are a few easy, yet effective, ways to be safer and more secure during the holidays and beyond.

Beginning with the home, remember to lock all doors and windows, leave outside lights on at night, have inside lights on a timer or leave the same lights on all the time if at home or away. Don’t leave gifts where they can be seen from outside the residence. Open doors only to people you know and never allow any unknown person inside the home. Do not discuss, in public, items you have purchased or that you have in your home.

While shopping travel with others and “walk with a purpose,” know where you are going and briskly go there. Lock your car and never leave packages in your car where they can be seen. Ladies, don’t carry your purse, put your identification, credit card or money in a packet and never carry large amounts of cash. When parking your car, park in well lit areas as close as possible to the store entrance you will be using. Be sure to check the area around you before you unlock the door and get out of the car. Should anyone find themselves in the unfortunate position of being the victim of a robbery or larceny, they should not resist and turn over the property to the suspect while making mental notes of a physical description of the person and their clothing and notify police immediately.

There will be many gatherings to celebrate the holidays. Remember that alcohol and driving do not mix. Everyone should have a designated driver or call a taxi when consuming alcoholic beverages. All drivers should remember that there will be intoxicated drivers on our highways and should drive defensively.

TWELVE TIPS OF HOLIDAY SAFETY

1. Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
2. Shop online with companies you know and trust. Check a company’s background if you are not familiar with it. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
3. Save all receipts. Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in.
4. Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as onetime or multiuse disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction sites.
5. Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
6. Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket. If you do find yourself the victim of a robbery, larceny, etc. do not resist, give the thief the property. Nothing is worth being injured or worse.
7. Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
8. Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home
9. Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
10. If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you get separated. Select a central meeting place and make sure they know they can ask mall personnel or store security employees if they need help.
11. Park in well lit areas as close as possible to the entrance of the store or mall area you intend to use.
12. Don’t drink and drive; have a friend as a designated driver or take a cab. Also, drive defensively as there will be those drivers that have consumed alcoholic beverages.

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