Common Sense Safety Tips

• Keep gifts and valuables out of sight in your car. Lock packages in the trunk.
• At night park in a lighted area, and remember where you’ve parked.
• Shop with a friend, especially at night. If alone, try to walk near other people.
• Make sure your children know to go to a store employee or security officer if lost.
• Lock your doors immediately after entering your vehicle.
• Place wallets in your front pants pocket instead of back or jacket pocket.
• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with check or credit card whenever possible.

• Carry only receipts and small change in your purse.
• If you take a break in a restaurant or restroom, don't place your purse or packages on the floor.
• Never let your child use a public restroom alone; these are favorite places for kidnapers and people who like harming children.
• Try to make your most expensive purchases last; this will reduce your exposure to costly losses.
• Never use a video arcade or toy store as a baby sitter; predators are on the prowl for unattended children. Malls and shopping centers are prime locations for abductions according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
• Avoid using bathrooms that are tucked away in a back area of a mall concourse or department. If you can, find a bathroom near the mall's food court.

• Make sure your card is used only for one transaction, watch transactions carefully. Be aware of card skimming.
• Never give out information about your credit card to any phone solicitor.
• Immediately report the theft or loss of credit cards.
• Never give out your social security number to a phone solicitor or store clerk.
• Do not carry your social security card in your wallet or purse.
• Do not use your credit card to purchase items on the internet unless you initiated the contact and make sure the site is secure and encrypted.
• Cancel all credit cards that you have not used in the last six months. Open credit accounts are prime targets.

• Keep your vehicle doors locked at all times, carjackers often target vehicles at stop signs and traffic lights.
• Drive in the center lane to make it harder for would-be carjackers to approach your vehicle.
• At intersections, leave room between vehicles for an escape.
• Don't stop to help someone with car trouble, use your cell phone to call police.
• Don't stop for flashing headlights, police don’t use this method to stop vehicles.
• If your car breaks down, stay inside until police or a road service arrives.
• If someone motions that your car has a problem or your vehicle is "bumped," don't stop. Stay in your car, ensure your doors are locked, and drive to a public place. Carjackers will sometimes use this method to get you out of your vehicle. It’s called the “Bump and Rob”.

• Park in well lit areas where there is plenty of pedestrian traffic.
• Wait until you get to your vehicle, before deactivating your alarm. Deactivating the alarm prior to arriving at your vehicle; will give a criminal your intended destination.
• If you feel that you are being followed to your vehicle, re-enter the store and have security escort you to your vehicle.
• When you arrive at your vehicle, look under and in the back seat of your car before entering.

• When possible, use ATMs during the day.
• Avoid using ATMs late at night, most ATM crimes occur after normal banking hours. If you need to use an ATM at night, use one inside a busy establishment.
• Before using an outside ATM, make sure no one is loitering in the area..."Be aware of your surroundings."
• Use only well lit, secure ATM locations.
• Make sure you block the view of others nearby when you enter your personal identification number (PIN).
• After the transaction be sure to remove your card from the ATM, take receipts with you, and quickly place your card and money in your pocket.
• Do not count your money at the ATM.
• Criminals have been know to watch ATM transactions. If you are followed after making an ATM transaction, go immediately to a heavily-populated, well-lighted area and call the police.
• If you are attacked at an ATM, don't resist; cooperate and give up your money, then notify the police.

• Leave a house key with a neighbor.
• Make your home look occupied.
• Use timers on your lights, radios and TV.
• Do not stop newspaper and mail delivery. Have a friend or trusted neighbor pick up your newspaper and mail each day.
• Plan your route in advance and choose well-traveled roads.
• Tell someone where you are going, the route you are taking, and your expected times of departure and arrival.
• Become aware of the latest weather reports for your local area, the route you will be traveling, and your destination.

• Use all locking devices on your door.
• Don't answer a knock on the door (or open the door) without verifying who is there.
• Ensure all sliding glass doors, windows, and any connecting room doors are locked.
• Don't display room keys or swipe cards in public or leave them where someone can steal them.
• When returning to your room late at night, us the hotel main entrance.
• Report all suspicious activity to management.
• Don't draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.
• Place all valuables in a hotel/motel safe deposit box.