Holiday Season Safety Tips from the Wyoming Police Department | Crime

Wyoming, Mich., Dec. 15, 2011 - Around the holidays the Wyoming Police Department tends to see an increase in home and car burglaries. Police Chief James Carmody said that homes are most vulnerable to burglaries between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Carmody also noted that this year home invasions when families are at home and sleeping are occurring at a greater rate than is typical.

To decrease your chances of becoming a target this holiday season, the Wyoming Police Department has put together the following suggested safety tips for holiday shoppers and travelers.

1. Turn many lights on. Outside lights and motion lights should be left on during dark hours, along with an interior light being on low throughout the night.

2. All doors should always be locked, even when you are home.  This includes garage doors, rear sliders, screen doors, deadbolts, etc….

3. You should not put big screen TV boxes out with the trash, or any other high end item boxes that could be visible to anyone who drives by.

4. The window where your Christmas tree is located should not be open for the public to look in and view all of the gifts.

5. Valuables should not be in sight for someone to see from your driveway or front porch.

6. If someone is knocking at your door and you do not know who it is, there is no need to answer.

7. If you are leaving town contact a trustworthy neighbor or friend to check on your home, retrieve any mail or packages that may arrive on your porch, and make arrangements to have your sidewalks and driveway shoveled, if it snows.

8. Record serial numbers of expensive items.

9. Remove valuables from your car and lock your car at night. This includes GPS, laptops, purses, gifts and gift bags, etc….

10. While shopping, make frequent trips back to your car, and lock your packages in the trunk. Walking into the parking lot, buried under numerous packages makes you more vulnerable.

11. Remain aware of your surroundings when walking in parking lots and returning to your car.  It is always helpful to have your cell phone accessible when alone, and to make sure it is not buried in a purse or coat pocket. 

12. Park in lighted areas when available.

13. Avoid holiday scams. Make sure you are donating your money to a reputable organization during the holiday season. There are a lot of phone, email and door-to-door scams.