Tips for Maintaining Personal Safety During the Holiday Season

People everywhere look forward to the holiday season — especially retailers. As shoppers look for that perfect gift, retail outlets can make up to 30 percent of their total annual revenue, according to the National Retail Federation.

Unfortunately, thieves also look forward to the holidays. Here are a few tips to keep your perfect gifts, car, home – and most importantly YOU – safe this winter season.

1. Lock your doors and windows.

It seems like common sense, but many burglaries don’t even require forced entry because thieves can find an unlocked door or window. About 27–28 percent of thieves made their way into homes this way from 2003–2007, according to a 2010 Federal Bureau of Investigation report.

If it is hard to remember to lock doors and windows, try setting an alarm on a cell phone to do so each day when leaving your home. Some smart devices can also connect to WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled locks and allow you to lock your doors remotely if you forgot before leaving.

2. Don’t leave packages in front of windows at home.

Though it can be tempting to set up a Christmas tree in full view of the street to add to the holiday cheer, they can also be a magnet for thefts. You can still set up your tree near a window, but if you do, keep the gifts under a window ledge or out of sight of the street. Otherwise, you create obvious targets for would-be criminals.

3. Avoid having postal carriers leave packages on your porch or apartment lobby.

More and more people are ordering gifts online, and thieves are taking advantage of the often high-value packages left on porches and in apartment building lobbies. Eleven million homeowners in the U.S. had a package stolen in the last year, according to a 2016 survey produced by home security company August Home Inc.

If allowed by your employer, have packages delivered to your workplace. If not permitted, request a signature delivery and a specified delivery date – so that you have to physically sign for a package before a postal worker can drop it off. If you cannot be present to receive packages by post, consider requesting a vacation package hold, which will instruct delivery personnel to keep the package at a local shipping office where you can pick it up with a slip left on your door or with pre-arranged credentials. Also consider having a friend who works from home or during a different shift accept packages and offer the same accommodation in return when convenient with your schedule.

4. Place your holiday shopping bags/packages in your car trunk.

Thieves will often break car windows to snag the bags and packages left on passenger seats or backseats during shopping trips. This adds expense and difficulty as your packages get stolen and you have a car repair to take care of and pay for as well. To avoid the risk, leave packages in your trunk, out of sight. If you have a SUV without a trunk, consider investing in a sliding cover for the cargo space. If you have to leave packages in a back seat or on the passenger side of a small car, place them on the floor and cover them with a dark towel or blanket. The items will be difficult to see, especially at night. Yes, this might signal that something is under the covering. However, when faced with the choice between what can be seen through the car window and what cannot, a thief will typically choose the obvious reward.

5. Park your car under bright lights.

Big-box stores and malls often have large parking lots with dark spaces. Even shopping in town can require you to park and walk a significant distance to get to your destination. When possible, park under bright lights to scare thieves who may target you or your car. Bright lights deter criminals not only because they’re easier to spot but also because they will be easier to identify for anyone else who sees them, according to car insurance company Esurance.

6. Keep your purse and shopping bags close to you, and leave unnecessary items at home.

Thieves often cruise crowded places like malls or main street shopping districts to “case” or “target” potential victims who are preoccupied by friends, children, or cellphones. Avoid these distractions and pay attention to your surroundings. If you have to talk on the phone, consider having it on speaker. Do not wear headphones that prevent you from hearing people approaching you from the side or from behind. You are less likely to be targeted if you are vigilant about the people around you.

To minimize the likelihood of theft, carry your purse close to your body and walk in well-populated, well-lit locations. Try to carry a purse that has a flap covering the opening to make it harder for a thief to get a hand inside to reach for a wallet. For open bags, carry them in front of you with a hand over the opening. Try not to carry so many items at one time that it makes it difficult for you to control them in the event a thief tries to grab one or more of the bags.

The Chicago Police Department recommends only carrying the amount of cash you know you’ll need for the day and as few credit cards as possible. That way, if a theft occurs, the losses are minimized and controlling identity theft will be easier.

7. Have your keys ready and lock the car doors once you are inside.

When walking to your car, have your keys ready to unlock the door. Avoid digging through your pockets or purse while standing by your car as this leaves you vulnerable to an approaching criminal.

Your key fob likely has a built-in alarm. Learn where it is by feel – so that you can activate it without having to physically look at your keys. Practice setting off the alarm so that you know how to do so in an emergency. If your key fob does not have an alarm, simple alarm systems are available for as little as $10. If you purchase such an alarm, practice with it so you are ready to use it if needed.

After getting into your car, get in the habit of immediately locking the doors. Too many people rely on their “automatic” settings which lock the doors once car speeds reach 5 or 10 m.p.h. Locking the doors immediately provides significant protection during the moments you are putting down your purse, starting the car, tuning the radio, etc. If you pull into a garage at your apartment or home, also get in the habit of immediately closing the door behind you to prevent criminals from entering your garage while you are distracted getting both your person and your belongings out of the car.