Here are a few helpful tips & tricks for crime prevention during the holiday season.

This holiday season don't let the spirit of giving lull you into giving burglars, robbers, and thieves a better chance to do their dirty work. Criminals love the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it's an opportune time for crime. We would like to remind you to be especially cautious of your surroundings, not only within our apartment community, but also when visiting shopping areas, friends and family.

Here are some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season:

If You Are At Home:

• Keep doors and windows locked.
• Consider how much of your residence you are exposing to people passing by on the street when you have your doors, windows and curtains open (displaying seasonal items, etc.).  This can be inviting, whether you are home or gone.  Even if you are only gone for a few moments!

If You Are Out for the Evening

• Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone is home.
• Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

If You Are Traveling

• Get an automatic timer for your lights.
• Ask a neighbor to watch your home, etc.
• Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone.

If You Are Shopping

• Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
• Park in a well-lit space, and be sure to close the windows and lock the car.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.  Pay with a check or credit card whenever possible. (Note:  Remember to get your credit card(s) back from the sales clerks at the end of your transaction).
• Deter purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Do not leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart (even while you turn your back to look at an item on a shelf, etc.).
• Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

Protect Your Vehicle

• LOCK – TAKE – HIDE
  • LOCK your vehicle.
  • TAKE your belongings out of the vehicle.  Do not leave anything in plain view (ex. Purses, wallets, GPS systems, sunglasses, CD’s. holiday gifts, spare change, etc.).
  • HIDE your belongings/valuables, so they cannot be seen by people passing by (in the trunk, console, glove box, etc.).
• Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using anti-theft devices. And never leave your vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store – even if for only a minute or two.

If a Stranger Comes to the Door:  Criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts, and it’s not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others’ generosity during the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable donations when there is no charity involved. Ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be used. If you aren’t satisfied, don’t give. Help a charitable organization you know and like instead.

After the Holiday Season / After the Gifts Are Opened:  Burglars know that many households have new, and oftentimes expensive, items in their homes following the December holidays – especially items such as new computers, stereo components, televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment. In too many cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view with their other garbage.  Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in inside a trash/recycle can.  Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside until the evening before your regular garbage pick-up. Some burglars actually look inside garbage cans for evidence of holiday gifts.  And, of course, if you see someone suspicious, call the local Police Department’s non-emergency number. If you see a burglary in progress, call 911.

Take a Holiday Inventory:  The holidays are a good time to update, or create, your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items.  Make lists of those items and include descriptions and serial numbers (or owner applied numbers). If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.  Make sure things like TVs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment, and power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice!  Be sure to keep this list in safe location that can be readily accessed in the event you need to report any of these items lost/stolen to the police department.

Decorating Safety

Every year thousands of people are injured or killed due to faulty holiday decorations.  Residential fires during the holiday season are especially tragic.  Celebration and joy can quickly turn to sorrow and anguish because basic fire safety guidelines were neglected.  “It can happen to you,” so be careful and have a safe and carefree holiday season.  Some safety tips to consider:

Fireplaces:  Fireplaces are very popular during the holidays.  Before starting a fire, make sure you remove all decorations from the area and be sure that the flue is open.  Do not burn wrappings or evergreen boughs.  These can burn extremely fast, throwing off sparks and burning debris.  Safely dispose of wrapping paper with your normal trash collection.  Also, remember to maintain a source of fresh air to avoid possible build-up of carbon monoxide gas.  NEVER LEAVE A FIRE BURNING UNATTENDED.

Candles:  Never leave a candle burning unattended.  Place candles in a sturdy container to avoid falling over.  Remember to extinguish candles before going to bed.

Christmas Trees:  When buying a natural tree, the most important precaution is freshness.  The higher the moisture content the less likely it is to dry out and become a fire hazard.   Artificial trees should bear the UL label and should be made of fire resistant material.  This does not mean that the tree will not burn, but only that it will not catch fire easily.  Never use electric lights on metallic trees.  Place trees away from fireplaces, kerosene heaters and other heat sources and remember to turn off your tree lights whenever you leave your home or go to bed.

Holiday Lights:  Use only UL approved lighting.  Inspect electric lights for broken or cracked sockets and frayed wires, replace if necessary.  Do not use indoor lights outdoors or visa-versa.  Do not overload extension cords and do not connect more than three (3) sets of lights to one cord.  Never use lighted candles on or near a tree.  Outdoor lights should be weatherproof and clearly identified as designed for outdoor use.  Turn off all holiday lights when you leave your home or go to bed.  Remove outdoor lighting as soon as the season is over.

Tree Ornaments and Trimmings:  Avoid placing small or breakable ornaments on lower branches where children or pets can reach them and knock them off.  Every year children are treated for cuts from broken ornaments or from swallowing broken pieces and small parts.

Careful planning can ensure a safe and enjoyable Holiday season for everyone.

On behalf of the management and staff of Avana Woodridge we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy and safe holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

Sincerely,

Avana Woodridge

By:  Jon Durnell,

Community Manager

281-681-0031

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

911 or 936-760-5871 (Non-Emergency Line)