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Think “safety first” for a happy holiday

With the recent economic downturn, people are losing their jobs and their homes in record numbers. There is also a corresponding rise in calls for police services. Police departments everywhere are seeing a rise in thefts, domestic violence calls and disturbance calls, among others.

Sacramento State’s Department of Public Safety is attempting to mitigate this phenomenon with special crime prevention programs like the Winter Break program. The Winter Break program is a collaboration between Facilities Management, Public Safety’s community service officers, and patrol, which includes frequent checks of buildings for unauthorized personnel, unlocked doors, and safety hazards.

Public Safety is asking everyone to help make our campus safer by making sure that each individual’s areas of responsibility are locked when not in use, including vehicles on campus. Call in all suspicious activity and report any safety problems to (916) 278-6851, or 9-1-1 if in progress.

In the meantime, here are some holiday safety and security tips:

AT HOME

• Keep a current inventory of all your credit cards, which includes the 800 number of each issuing firm, in case any are lost.
• Routinely monitor your financial accounts and billing statements.  Inspect your credit report.
• To avoid telephone solicitations, sign up for the National Do Not Call List.
• Don’t tempt burglars by putting presents under the tree too long before Christmas, especially if your tree is visible through a ground-floor window.
• Always keep doors and windows locked. Relock your front door immediately upon entering your home.
• Ask for identification before admitting strangers, such as delivery personnel, to your home.
• If you live in an apartment building, don’t buzz in someone who rings your bell until you have verified who he or she is.
• Break down empty gift boxes or cut them up to conceal the receipt of expensive gifts such as computers or plasma-screen televisions.

WHEN SHOPPING

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Carry only the amount of cash or number of credit cards necessary to make your purchases. Using debit or credit cards is much safer than carrying a lot of cash.  However, if you must carry a large sum of money, divide the cash between your purse, pockets and wallet. Do not flash a big roll of cash.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a personal check.
• Carry your purse close to your body with the flap turned into your body.  Never wrap the strap around your body.
• Carry your wallet in the breast pocket of your jacket or in your side pants pocket. Note: The rear pants pocket is the easiest to pick.
• Never leave presents on display in your car.  Lock them in the trunk.
• Don’t leave belongings unattended. Do not hang your purse over the back of your chair in a restaurant; keep it on your lap.
• Shop with friends if possible. There is safety in numbers.

WHEN USING AN ATM

• Select an ATM at a location devoid of barriers blocking the line of sight of the ATM. Do not select an ATM at the corner of a building. Corners create blind spots in close proximity to the customer’s transaction.
• Whenever possible, select an ATM that is monitored or patrolled by a security officer.
• Avoid ATM locations with large perimeter parking lots and numerous ingress and egress points.
• In order to minimize the time spent at the ATM, prepare deposit envelopes and transaction paperwork prior to your arrival at the ATM.
• Use your body as a shield while you enter your access code.
• Do not count money as you walk away from an ATM; do it before you leave the machine.
• If you use a drive-up ATM, be sure that your vehicle doors are locked.

WHEN TRAVELING

• Use a light timer and ask a neighbor to keep your home clean of newspapers and advertisement flyers while you are away.
• Have your mail held at your local post office.
• Give a spare key to a trusted neighbor. Don’t hide spare keys.
• If you are traveling by air, plan to wrap your presents when you arrive at your destination.
• When driving, keep your doors locked and your windows closed. Try to keep at least half a tank of gas at all times.  Maintain your car in good working order to avoid breakdowns.