Holiday Safety Tips
A Message from our Community Policing Officer Marlo Woods and the SDPD!
Hi all, It’s that time of year again. Here are some quick safety tips for the holidays:
Holidays are special times to be shared with family and friends. Protect yourself and loved ones by following these safety tips.
For more tips, see the SDPD papers on Home Security, Personal Safety and Security, Cybersecurity, Fraud and Identity Theft Prevention, and Vehicle Security on its website at www.sandiego.gov/police/services/prevention/tips.
AT HOME
Don’t put large displays of holiday gifts in view of your windows or doors.
Immediately after the holidays, mark new gifts with your California Driver License or ID number.
Don’t advertise what you got for Christmas by putting the boxes out on trash day. Break the boxes down or take them to the dump yourself.
Don’t open your door at the sound or a knock or bell. Know who’s at your door before opening it. Install a wide-angle peephole in your front door so you can look out without being seen yourself.
If you don’t want to answer the door and don’t want the person there to think that no one is home, say something like “We can’t come to the door now,” or “We don’t open the door to strangers.”
Don’t open the door to a delivery person unless you are expecting a package. Ask for the person’s name and the name and phone number of the company. Call it to confirm the visit. Keep the door closed and locked in the meantime.
AWAY FROM HOME
Lock all doors and windows, even if you will only be gone for a short time. Use deadbolts, dowels, or locking pins in sliding glass doors and windows to keep them from being pried open.
Leave window blinds and curtains in their normal daytime positions without exposing any valuable items.
Never announce your vacation plans or whereabouts on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking sites. In a 2011 survey of 50 convicted burglars in the United Kingdom, 40 said that social media was being used to identify properties with absent owners.
Wait until you get home to post your vacation blog and photos. Remove geotags with a metadata removal tool if you publish photos on the Internet while you are away. Even better, turn off the geotagging feature on your smartphone.
Leave lights and a TV or radio on when going out for an evening to make it appear that you are at home.
Use timers on lights, radios, TVs, etc. to make them go on and off during the day and night to make your home appear occupied.
Stop mail delivery, or have neighbor pick it up. (This also helps to prevent identity theft.)
Very Respectfully,
Officer Marlo J. Woods
San Diego Police Department
Central Division
Community Relations Officer