With the holiday season upon us, practicing safety is a priority.  Here are some tips to ensure your safety during this holiday season. 

Vehicle Safety

• Be alert and look around your car before entering it.
• Make sure all the car doors are locked before you drive away.
• Park in well-lit areas or under lampposts at night.
• Don't leave valuables in the car.  Use the trunk or cover them up.
• If there is a paper under the windshield wipers of your car, turn off your car, shut the door, and lock up before you retrieve it. Thieves use this as a way to get you to vacate your vehicle while it is running so they can steal it.
• Don’t leave your vehicle running and unattended.

Personal Safety

·         Carry a cell phone with you and report suspicious behavior to the police immediately. The emergency cell phone number in the City of Sacramento is (916) 732-0100.

·         Do not resist an armed robber. Your life and safety are worth more than your bags.

·         Be alert and avoid displaying or carrying large sums of money.

·         Use a credit card to purchase items and keep a record of all card numbers at home.

·         Beware of strangers approaching you.  Thieves may try to distract you with the intention of taking your valuables.

·         Carry your purse against the front of your body, with your forearm across the front of the purse and your elbow held tightly against your side.

·         Carry your keys, wallet, or other valuables in coat or pants pockets.

·         Don’t carry anything in your purse that you can't afford to lose.

Online Safety

• Only shop on trusted websites.
• Don't click links on emails.  Identity thieves are creating emails that look like they are from trusted companies, but clicking links may infect your computer with malware or give the thieves access to passwords.
• Be sure to keep everything including passwords and computer software up to date.
• To keep your bank account safe, use credit or prepaid cards to purchase items.