As we approach the Christmas season I am reminded of all the television shows I have done on holiday security tips over the last 30 years. For many years I was on all the Networks sharing tips on how not to be a victim of crime during this season of Joy, family and giving as we shop and prepare for this very important holiday. Our season of Joy can be interrupted by criminals who prey on unsuspecting people during the holiday season and to keep from being a victim we need to follow some basic security tips which for the most part are common sense measures. Through out the year we become complacent and just unaware of what is going on around us and when you add the busyness of the holiday season we can easily be waiting victims of the criminal element.

These basic tips are for us at home, shopping and traveling and the first part of being safe is staying aware of what is going on around us. Know when someone strange is hanging around your neighborhood, be alert when you are driving to and from your home by checking to see who is behind you or setting on the street and suddenly starts following you. The purpose of taking security measures is to make it difficult for a criminal to take advantage of us, to many times we make it easy. Studies show that a large percentage of home break-ins occur from a door, usually back one, or window that is left unlocked so before you go out and at night before bed do a security check on your homes doors and windows and lock them. If you have a sliding glass door place a jamming rod, can be wood or metal, in the door track to reinforce the door lock which is usually easy to force open.

Another inexpensive deterrent is lighting around your house with a built in motion detector to alert you and the neighbors if someone is around your house at night. Also cutting back any trees or bushes which might conceal some one hiding to break into your home is a great prevention step. Stand in front of your house and see if it would be easy for you to break into the house and if so correct the weakness you see.

With the large increase of shoppers at the malls and stores comes an increase in the criminal element at the malls looking for victims. Next time i will give you some tips on how to keep what you have purchased instead of having it taken by a crook.

Until next time be safe and remember "A Little Prevention" pays off in your having a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Phil Little