WHILE AT WORK

• Lunchtime holiday shopping is common. Secure purchases in a safe place and take everything home at the end of the day.
• Keep your purse/wallet with you or locked securely in your desk drawer or workstation.
• Employees should be alert of their surroundings. Criminals sometimes try to take advantage of the holiday spirit in the workplace. Often, employees are not completely focused on office tasks. If you see an unauthorized person in a place where they do not belong, notify your supervisor or call UHDPS at extension 3-3333.
• Do not hang decoration from ceiling sprinklers. If the sprinkler system is accidentally triggered, office equipment could be severely damaged.
• Remove all decorations, especially lighting, from the hall or office when departing for the holiday break.
• Candles – lit or unlit -- should not be used in the office.
• If decorating an office with a real tree, consult the Department of Fire and Physical Safety for proper placement to avoid a possible fire.
• Do not use lighting on metallic trees.
• Decorations should not obstruct hallways.

IF YOU ARE STAYING AT HOME

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when leaving your house/apartment even for a few minutes. Don’t forget to lock doors or windows even when you are at home.
• Don’t display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store them away until needed. Even empty wrapped boxes are inviting to a criminal.
• Mark all new electronic equipment purchases with an identification number and keep a record of serial numbers, makes and models for insurance purposes.
• Jewelry and expensive clothing should also have identification.
• Be wary of solicitations for charitable donations. Don’t hesitate to call charitable organizations for further details.
• Many con artists take advantage of holiday generosity by going door-to-door. Ask for identification and get specifics on how donations will be used. If you feel uncomfortable, just say “No thank you,” and shut the door.
• Make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Develop and practice a fire escape plan for your household.
• Be sure your holiday tree is mounted on a sturdy base to avoid unforeseen accidents.
• Use only fire resistant ornaments on your holiday tree and make sure electric lights are safely operable. Don’t leave holiday lights on overnight or when you are away even if only for a short time. Make limited use of extension cords as they create additional fire hazards and “trip” hazards.
• Keep doors locked and be extra careful of strangers coming to your door. Criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. Stay alert of suspicious-looking couriers delivering packages to you or your neighbors.
• Turn on outside lights to deter burglars.
• Report any suspicious behavior to police or local community watch groups.
• Make sure your homeowners/renters insurance is up-to-date and update all personal inventories.
• If you are going out for the evening, turn on some lights, a radio or TV so that it appears that someone is home.
• Keep car doors and trunks locked, even in your driveway or garage.

SHOPPING

• Shop with friends and make trips to stores/malls before dark.
• Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk if they get separated from you, and NEVER leave the store/mall if they become separated from you. Children should never be permitted to go to parking lots by themselves or stay in the car alone.
• Stay alert and be aware of what’s happening around you.
• Be aware of con games this time of the year, such as people wanting to share “found” money or selling merchandise out of their vehicles.
• Avoid carrying large sums of money. Only carry the money/credit cards that you will need during your shopping trip. Carry your money and credit cards in separate pockets.
• If you carry a purse, keep it on the shoulder that faces the stores, with one hand on the purse if possible. This prevents someone from running up beside you and snatching your purse. Do not wear your purse across your chest. Serious injury can occur if someone tries to snatch it.
• When using public washrooms and store dressing rooms, avoid putting your purse on hooks, floors or door handles.
• While shopping, do not leave purses and wallets in grocery carts or shopping baskets.
• Condense your shopping bags into bags from less expensive stores.
• Limit the number of purchases at one time. Take packages to your vehicle and put them out of sight, preferably inside your trunk. Then move your vehicle before returning to the store/mall to continue shopping. As far as a thief is concerned, you have left the area.

PARKING LOT

• Park in lighted areas. Ask yourself what the area you are parking in will look like after nightfall.
• Make sure your car doors are locked at all times.
• Don’t make your vehicle a display case for thieves who window shop by walking from car to car looking for merchandise in plain view. Put your purchases out of sight, or in your trunk.
• When walking to your car, survey the area around the building and the parking lot.
• Walk with your head up and make eye contact with people passing by. The last thing a criminal wants is to be identified.
• Have your keys ready to open the door or trunk as you approach your vehicle.
• Check around and under your vehicle before unlocking the doors and entering.
• Avoid placing your purse or purchases on top of your vehicle while opening its door.
• When in doubt, ask for a security escort from the mall to your vehicle.
• If you see something suspicious upon arriving in a parking lot, do not get out of your vehicle. Park at another location and call the police with your observations. If you see something suspicious, do not go directly to your vehicle. Return to the store and notify the police.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING

• Give a friend, neighbor or relative your travel route, itinerary and cellular phone number before you leave. Keep in contact with family and friends while on the road.
• Get automatic timers for your lights at home. Remember to set them at different times.
• Ask a neighbor to watch your home and park in your driveway from time to time. Ask them to set one of their trashcans out in your driveway on trash day as if it was yours.
• Don’t forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped, or picked up by a neighbor.
• Don’t leave holiday packages where they can be seen.
• Make sure your cellular phone is in working order in case of an emergency.
• Be sure your vehicle is in good running order. Inspect, or have your car inspected. Check brakes, tires, antifreeze, wiper fluid, gasoline, lights, battery and wipers.
• Pack several warm blankets, ample drinking water, flares, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and two flashlights with fresh batteries.
• Get plenty of rest before your leave.
• Leave early and give yourself plenty of time to make the drive. Don’t speed!
• Make sure everyone wears a seatbelt. Children should ride in the back seat. Children younger than 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds should ride in an approved car safety seat appropriate for their height and weight.
• Avoid taking medications that could make you drowsy while driving.
• Never drink and drive!

PREPARING THE HOLIDAY MEAL

• Assign an adult to watch over children and keep them from running through the kitchen
• Check your fire extinguisher to be sure it is in proper working condition.
• Put sharp objects into the sink immediately.
• Use the back burners first, then use the front ones. Turn pot handles inward.
• Use the same supervising system during kitchen clean-up. Empty all glasses with alcoholic beverages into the sink so children don’t drink from them.

All content provided by UH Department of Public Safety