Post-Christmas Holiday Safety Tips From Cobb Police

Christmas may be over, but this month's Cobb Police Precinct 4 PENS message includes tips that can be kept in mind during the aftermath, including the New Year's holiday:

Please don’t give a thief a chance this year to victimize you and your family. Exercise extra caution during this special season. Trust your instincts; if something does not look or feel right, it probably isn’t.

EVENING OUT:

• Leave your lights and television on in your residence so that it gives the appearance that someone is home.
• Secure all doors and windows, even if you’re only gone for a few minutes.
• Holiday gifts should not be displayed where they can be seen from the outside of your home.
• Burglars want to enter unoccupied homes, so if someone knocks at door, it is a good idea to verbally reply so they will know someone is there. If you don’t know who they are, notify them the police have been called.

• Ask a neighbor to watch your house.
• Use automatic timers for your lights.
• Stop your mail and newspaper deliveries.
• Arrange to have snow shoveled (if applicable) while you’re away.
• Notify your local police department that you will be out of town and request your home be placed on zone patrol and leave a contact number in case of an emergency.

• Watch out at intersections and stop lights. Keep car in gear; if you’re threatened, blow the horn, then drive away.
• Leave enough space between you and the car in front of you to pull around if necessary.
• Keep windows rolled up.
• Keep doors locked at all times.
• Keep valuables out of sight.
• If followed, don’t drive home. Go to closest police station, fire house, gas station or public place as you are calling 911.
• If your car breaks down, stay with the car and accept NO rides. If someone stops to help, ask them to call the police or you call the police.
• Keep vehicle well maintenance and gassed up.
• Remember gasoline and alcohol don’t mix.

• Keep all doors and windows locked, even if you step out for just a moment.
• Mark all property with your driver’s license number.
• Videotape valuables as a record of ownership.
• Some holiday decorations are poisonous, so please keep away from small children and pets.
• Use extreme caution when using lit candles as part of your holiday decorations. Beware of solicitors coming to your door asking for donations. Ask for identification prior to opening your door, which includes their permit to be allowed to solicit. It is a Cobb County ordinance.