• Place all gifts and packages in your trunk or out of sight
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and walk with confidence
• Park in well-lighted areas
• Avoid shopping alone; there is safety in numbers
• Try to use credit or debit cards for purchases to avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Keep your car doors locked and windows closed
• If you carry a purse or bag, carry it up close to your body
• Have your car key in your hand prior to getting to your vehicle
• Always report suspicious activity immediately to on-site security or the police department

Suggestions in and around your home:

•  Keep gifts in areas that cannot be seen from doorways or windows
• Install motion sensor lighting in a location that it cannot be easily tampered with
• Keep bushes and shrubbery trimmed down and thinned out to eliminate places for thieves to hide
• If traveling, postpone your mail and newspaper deliveries so your home doesn’t look deserted
• Do not store gifts in vehicles or unsecured areas
• Always report suspicious activity immediately to your local sheriff’s station or police department

If you operate a business, some of these tips may be helpful:

•  Lock unused doors as long as you are not in violation of the Fire Code
•  Keep only necessary cash in the register and vary the schedule and route for your bank deposits each day
• Make sure your cash register is clearly visible to passers-by
• Advertise your security alarm system with signs in visible locations
• Develop a mutual aid system among stores on your block or close to you