Tips for a Safer Holiday Season Published Dec. 2, 2008 By Rod Krause 5th Bomb Wing ground safety manager MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The holidays provide a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to gather and celebrate. It is also a time of continuous activity, with errands to run and scheduled activities that demand attention and time. It's also a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season. Already this holiday season there have been tragic incidents around the country; so it's a good time to remind everyone of the dangers that lurk if they don't follow safety rules. Although some crimes occur in busy areas during broad daylight, thieves usually prefer more secluded areas that aren't well-lit. Many thefts occur because people aren't paying attention. Women's purses are especially easy targets when they are left in a shopping cart. Thieves rely on the trust that good people place in others. Some people go Christmas shopping and get very intrigued by items on the lower shelf. A person might never think that an older woman would steal something from them when their eyes are diverted for just a moment, but this type of theft occurs more often than people realize. Thieves can take on any type of personality and have any type of body style. Here are some holiday shopping safety tips from various websites our office would like to pass along: Stay alert at all times and pay attention to your surroundings. Park in well-lit spaces; always lock your car; roll up the windows; and hide packages in the trunk or under a blanket. Don't overload yourself with packages; have your car keys in hand before heading to the parking lot. Do not leave your purse unattended; avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Whenever possible, use credit cards or checks instead. Carry only the credit cards you need. When using public rest rooms, be cautious; avoid putting your purse on the floor. Keep receipts separate from the packages; this will make it harder for the thief to refund the stolen items. Remain alert in parking lots; don't carry so many packages that you aren't aware of your surroundings. Shop during the daytime if possible. Walk confidently, with your head up, and stay in well-lit and well-traveled areas, and have your vehicle key in hand and ready when walking to your car. Visually check the backseat before opening the door, and lock your doors immediately when inside, when loading your purchases into your vehicle, place your purse in the vehicle first, so it's not in the cart while your back is turned. Shopping with Children: Teach your children to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get separated from you in a shopping mall. Keep children under age 4 in a stroller or supervise them closely. If you place your child in a shopping cart, always use the safety belt, and stay close to the cart and never let your child stand in or push a shopping cart. Toy Safety: Make sure the toys you give children are safe for them. Read the package labels and follow age recommendation. Do not give children under the age of 3 toys that contain small or metal parts or toys that break easily and can be swallowed. Do not give children under the age of 8 toys that have sharp edges, points, or heating elements. Include helmets and other protective gear (such as elbow, knee, and wrist pads) when giving bicycles, skates, or skateboards as gifts. Dispose of toy packaging properly (do not burn in fireplace). Keep packaging materials away from children because they can become a choking or suffocation hazard. Keep batteries away from children. They are toxic if swallowed. We realize this alert might put a damper on your holiday spirit, but being safe is much better than being sorry. By taking a few prevention measures you can help keep your holiday season joyous!