by Margo Frazier, Public Relations

It was a week before Christmas. All the shopping was done. The gifts were wrapped and piled high under the tree. Each window glittered with a single light. Each door was decorated with a single wreath. It was a joyous occasion for Wanda and Tony because they were celebrating their first Christmas in their new home. They were planning a big feast for the family.

All that changed one fearful night. When Wanda and Tony returned home, they found chaos. The gifts were gone, the living room ransacked and a single brick lay in the middle of the floor. Speechless, they went throughout the house and found the same condition. They called the police. Unfortunately, the thieves were never found, and they lost almost $7,000 worth of gifts and personal property.

In the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and festivities, people tend to be careless. Situations like the one described above occurs a thousand times every year.

People forget that the holidays are also the peak season for burglars, pickpockets, purse snatchers, shoplifters and con artists. In addition to robberies, fires can also destroy the holiday season. To make the holidays a safe and joyous occasion, the National Crime Prevention Council and Mr. McGruff offer the following tips:

Safe Shopping Tips:

• Always stay alert of your surroundings and the people around you.
• Shop before it gets dark. If you have to shop late, try to coordinate shopping trips with a friend.
• Park in well-lighted areas that are close to the stores. Don’t walk to your car alone if it is parked in a dark area. Check the car’s interior before entering.
• Always lock your cars and close the windows for long and short trips. Lock all packages in the trunk and always have your key ready upon returning to the car.
• Wait for public transportation or rides in busy, well-lighted areas.
• Teach your children to go to a store clerk or security guard to ask for help if you become separated. Tell them to never go into the parking lot alone.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or carrying all at once. Instead, pay for purchases with either check or credit card. Do not carry too many credit cards either. Record all the numbers and keep this information in a safe place at home.
• Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry them tightly under the arm and never leave them unattended. Keep wallets in an inside jacket pocket. If possible, carry a fanny-pack.
• To discourage purse snatchers, do not overburden yourself with packages. Have purchases delivered whenever practical.

Holiday Safety at Home

• Do not display gifts where they can be seen through a window or doorway. q Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you go out. Take an extra few minutes to recheck.
• If you have house guests, let them know about your security precautions and make sure they follow them.
• If you go away for a few days, get an automatic timer for your lights, ask a neighbor to watch your home, pick up newspapers and mail, and occasionally park their car in your driveway.
• If you're going out for the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house looks occupied.
• Arrange for neighbors to accept packages if you are not home. Volunteer to do the same.
• Immediately after the holidays, mark new gifts with your license number or other I.D.

Fire Safety Tips

• Use only fire resistant ornaments on your tree and make sure the lights are in good working condition.
• If you are using live trees, place them in wet sand to keep it green and do not leave lights on overnight or when you are out.
• Never burn gift wrappings in the fireplace.
• Test smoke detectors and make sure you have enough of them strategically placed throughout the house.