While the holiday season is a time to be thankful for all that we have and the time for giving to others, unfortunately it is also a time for extra diligence to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
It is important to be vigilant and make good decisions during the holiday season. Below is a list of suggestions provided by Officer Jennifer Richmond of the Henderson Police Department. to help protect you and your property, which we have tweaked.
- Do not leave your vehicle running while unattended.
- Do not leave purses, electronics or other items of value in your vehicle in plain sight. Place them in the trunk if possible and make sure your doors are locked.
- Do not leave your purse in your shopping cart unattended and always hold onto it. My wife uses the buckle on the cart to buckle in her purse. Here is another idea to secure your purse, the PersLock.
- If your Christmas tree is situated in front of a window, do not put all the gifts on display where they can easily be seen by someone looking through the window.
- Keep an eye on your children at all times when shopping.
- Be aware of your surroundings when going to/from your vehicle. Know where your car keys are and possibly have them in your hand. The keys could be a self defense tool, along with the alarm/panic button on your key fob.
- Park in a well lit area.
- Beware of con-artist who may try to distract you in order to steal from you. Sometimes they work in teams with one distracting you while the other steals from you.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash when shopping or overload yourself with packages.
If you witness a crime or become a victim it is important to report this to the local police as soon as possible. Don’t try to be a hero. No personal property that you have is worth risking your own safety. Be a good witness and pay attention to details. This will help the police catch the offender.
If you wish to have personal protection, Kentucky is one of the states that offer a conceal carry deadly weapon permit. Click here for additional details.