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Don’t take a holiday from protecting yourself
Published November 24, 2009
As travelers pack up the car during the holidays to visit family or go on vacation, officials want to help their holidays remain bright by making sure they stay safe on the roads, each home is locked up tight and valuables in cars are out of sight.
ON THE ROAD
Anyone planning to hit the local bars, drink a glass or two of wine or get an early start on the eggnog should plan for a designated driver well in advance, West Columbia Police Detective Curtis Wulf said.
“Don’t drink and drive,” Wulf said. “There are so many preventable accidents that happen around the holidays.”
If you can’t find a designated driver, don’t go out and drink, Richwood Police Chief Glenn Patton said.
“If you do drink and drive, we’ll be the one driving you and you won’t be going home,” he said.
Be a defensive driver and keep a safe distance from all the cars around you, said Angleton Police Chief David Ashburn.
“Make sure you plan your trip and your car is in good repair because there’s nothing worse than breaking down in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
WHILE YOU'RE GONE
Whether it’s letting a trusted neighbor know you’re leaving and asking them to keep an eye on your home, ensuring the alarm system is set or requesting police make their presence known, there are many good tips for safeguarding a home against intruders while its owners are out of town.
“One of my suggestions for people that are leaving town is they call and let us know so we can put a close patrol on their property,” West Columbia Police Chief Michael Palmer said. “We’ll send a unit around every so often and check the house to make sure nothing’s changed, no lights are on, no cars are there that should not be and no doors or windows are open.”
Leaving a light on inside the house that normally would be on when the resident is at home is another good idea, as is making sure the blinds or curtains are closed tight, Lake Jackson Police Lt. Rick Park said.
“I know people like to put their Christmas tree right in front of their windows and they’re pretty and all that, but it shows the valuables on the other side of the window all too well,” Park said.
SMART SHOPPING
Being safe during the holidays doesn’t just mean while on the road or away from home, officials said. Shoppers taking advantage of the the after-Thanksgiving sales often don’t realize thieves are waiting to take advantage of parked cars brimming with unattended gifts.
Put packages in the trunk or cover them up with a blanket if you’re in an SUV so would-be thieves can’t see them in your parked vehicle, Patton said.
“Don’t be an open invitation to thieves,” Patton said. “If you’re shopping, as you’re bringing your packages back to your car make sure you’re not so overloaded with your packages you can’t get to your keys quickly,” Patton said.
Erin McKeon is a reporter for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0152.
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