12/04/2017
Holiday Safety Tips
The Guyton Department of Public Safety has increased patrols to help keep you safe and your belongings secure during this Holiday season.
Officers also offer some safety tips:
SHOPPING
• Limit the amount of cash you carry. Try to use debit or credit cards. If the card becomes stolen or lost, contact your credit card company immediately to cancel the card.
• Keep your cell phone in a pocket rather than your purse. If something happens to your purse, you will be able to call for help.
• Shop with someone else. The more the better.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Shopping is an exciting time and thieves can prey on those who are not paying attention.
• Park in a well-lit area.
• Always store valuables out of sight. Make sure your purchases and valuables are safely hidden in the trunk or another area out of sight. Remove all valuables from your vehicle each night.
• Lock your car and make sure windows are up. Thieves will often pull on car doors looking for an easy target.
• In the event you forget something, avoid quickly throwing packages in the back seat of your car and running back into the store. If you have to make a run to the car, hide the purchases in the trunk or another out of sight area and consider reparking. If someone sees you make a run to your car with packages, they usually know you won’t be back for a while.
• Consider making your most expensive purchases last so you can head straight home with them.
• Have your keys ready when you approach your car.
• Look around the car to assure that no one is lurking around or in the car.
• Consolidate smaller purchases into one or two large shopping bags. Never leave purchases unattended.
ONLINE SHOPPING
• Make sure the website is safe before entering any credit card or payment information. SECURE websites will have "https" instead of "http" in the address. (The “s” stands for secure)
• Only use well-known, trusted sites for online purchases. (Companies your familiar with)
• Keep an eye on your online banking/credit card statements. Report any unfamiliar activity to the card issuer immediately.
• Never use public WIFI. You have an increased risk of cyber criminals getting your information this way.
PERSONAL SAFETY
• Women should hold purses close to their body with the opening closed or zipped shut. When walking with someone else, keep the purse between the two of you.
• Keep your cell phone in a pocket rather than your purse.
• Never leave your purse in the shopping cart, even if you are close by.
• Men should consider keeping their wallets in their front pocket rather than back pockets or jackets.
CHILDREN
• Make sure children are in the seats of shopping carts and not riding in the basket itself.
• Remove your child’s coat or sweater once indoors. Overheated children can become difficult and distracting.
• Keep your children with you at all times, don't allowing them to wander on their own. If possible, try to shop with another adult to help watch your children.
• Take a photo of your child before shopping. If they become lost, you will have a current photo of them in the clothes they are wearing that can help aid in finding them quickly.
• Familiarize your children with security guards purpose and /or store office locations so your children know where to go if they do become separated.
HOME SAFETY
• If you have a burglar alarm, use it, even if you only intend to be away for a few moments.
• Remember, after Christmas those nice boxes stacked in your trash area or yards are billboards to thieves who now know what items are in your house.
• Never have packages delivered to your home when you are away. Either have them re-routed to an alternate address, pick them up at the post office or ask a neighbor to pick them up for you. Those big boxes are a clear sign that no one is home and your purchases have been left unattended.
ATM's
• Try to withdraw money only in daylight hours when people are around.
• Limit afterhours ATM use to those in well-lit, public areas.
• Look at the ATM to assure that no extra equipment has been attached that may scan/steal your card information.
• Look around and make sure no one is loitering nearby or acting suspiciously. If they are, walk away quickly. If they approach you after you have begun your transaction, cancel it and return later.
• Have your card in hand, conduct your transaction and walk away quickly. You can count the money later in a safe place.
• Never leave your receipt in the machine.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
• Ask one or more neighbors to keep an eye on your house, alerting them on who might be there legitimately. If your area has a neighborhood watch, by all means, request its help. Make sure they know how to contact you.
• Make sure your alarm is working and is set.
• Contact your local Police Department and request Security checks of your home. Make sure they know how to contact you.
IN GENERAL
• Awareness is your best protection. Be alert to what is going on around you at all times and use common sense.
• Don’t think twice about calling police if you see anything suspicious. That's what we are here for ! You could be preventing immediate and future crimes.
• If you are a victim of a crime, try to remain as calm as possible, remembering every detail you can. Look for something obvious about the suspect, then assess their height in comparison to yours, hair color, facial hair, scars, eye glasses, direction of travel and method of travel. (Automobile description, color, make, tag, if possible.) Also, note clothing colors and styles, especially shoes.
If anyone has any questions, concerns or requests, please feel free to contact the Guyton Police Department at 912-772-8745.
If you need to contact NON-Emergency dispatch please contact Central Dispatch at 912-754-8119.
