Safety during the holidays is extremely important. Statistically crime always rises during the holidays. The bad guy (i.e. thug) is always on the prow. Ruining our holiday is often times a M.O. for them. Here are some crimes that often occur during the holidays.
- Burglaries
- Home Invasions
- Carjacking
- Auto theft or breaking into cars
- Domestic Violence
- Assault
These six crimes represent six ways to have your holidays - and beyond - ruined. So the question is 'what you can do?'
- Keeping doors and windows locked. Put your lights on timers when you're not home. Keep your mouth shut regarding gifts that you have bought. Post burglary alarm signs...even if you don't have one. (Some 'bad guys' will see alarm systems as a challenge - but many will simply go on to another house.) If you're single, keep a pair of men's work boots and a large dog food bowl at the back door.
- Again, the same thing with the doors and windows. Beware of ways entry is made. One, never open the door without knowing 100% who's there. Install a peep hole, The Lock Jaw (http://www.lockjawsecurity.com/) and beef-up your door jam (http://www.armorconcepts.com/). These products will go along way to helping prevent home invasions.
- Never get out of your car if someone bumps. Try not to be alone but this is not always practical. If you are bumped, stay in your call and call the police from your cell phone. If you suspect that this is an attempted carjacking, lay on the horn and get some attention.
- Don't keep gifts in plain view. Keep gifts in your trunk or covered as much as possible. Obviously always be sure to lock your doors and check to make sure they're all closed. Don't keep cell phones, I Pods, radar detectors, or your GPS in view. These are small items that don't take but a second to grab and run. Within 5 seconds someone can break a window and grab one of these items - then split.
- Domestic violence. See my earlier post on domestic violence. Children of divorced parents can be pulled in two different directions. This can cause stress on the situation to the point of violence.
- Assaults can be curtailed by not being in compromising situations - travel in groups, don't be on the phone when going to your car, REMEMBER where your car is and get there and get in it...lock the doors right away. Let someone know when you're leaving and when you'll be home; and check in with them when you arrive to your final destination safely. If they haven't heard from you by x time - ask them to call and check on you.
Common sense, awareness and making the right choice to help keep yourself safe will help insure that you have the holiday season that you deserve.
Happy Holidays - Merry Christmas!
Be Safe...
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