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Tips to help prevent holiday crime Christmas and the holiday shopping season is a peak time for crimes such as home burglaries, thefts, and even muggings. This message contains valuable tips that can help prevent you from being the victim of a crime during the holidays.  At Home  Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows at all times.  Don’t display gifts and other valuables where they can be seen from a window or doorway.  If you go out in the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house looks occupied.  If you go on vacation, get an automatic timer for your lights. Ask a neighbor or trusted friend to watch your house, pick up the mail and newspapers and park  their car in your driveway from time to time.  Beware of package deliveries where couriers have the “wrong” address. Write down tag numbers of suspicious delivery attempts.  After Christmas, don’t advertise your new electronics and/or other new valuables that you have received by putting the boxes out on the curb for the garbage collectors. Break the boxes down and fold them to where the words are on the inside.  Shopping  Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. If you see people “hanging around” parking garages, parking lots, or the outside of stores, avoid the area. Notify the police or security department.  Shop before dark if possible. Coordinate shopping trips with a friend if you plan to be out late.  Never park your car in an unlit area, no matter how convenient it is.  Lock your car doors and windows even if you are only gone for a few minutes.  Keep packages and other valuables out of public view, preferably locked in the  trunk.  Park near street lights if possible and have your keys in hand when you return to your car. Always check the interior of your car before you unlock the door to get in.  To discourage purse snatchers, don’t overburden yourself with packages. Have your purchases delivered whenever practical.  Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card whenever possible.  Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse under your arm with the strap across your body. Keep a wallet in an inside jacket pocket, not a back trouser pocket.  Teach your children to go to a store clerk or security guard and ask for help if they should become separated in a store or shopping mall.  More information can be obtained by contacting the MUSC Department of Public Safety Crime Prevention office at:  MUSC,  Department of Public Safety, 101 Doughty St., Charleston, S.C., 29425. Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.