Holiday Safety Reminders from the
Firestone Police Department

It is the time of year when we see crimes increase. The hustle and bustle of the season can cause us all to put our guard down.  The Firestone Police Department offers these tips to help the community remain safe and vigilant during the upcoming holiday season:

• Be alert. Always stay alert and be aware of your surroundings when you are out shopping. Park in well-lit areas, always lock your car, and secure valuables in the trunk.  When you arrive home, remember to bring all your valuables inside.
  
  

• Be aware of scams. Be aware of telemarketing and donation scams. The holidays are the season for giving but donate only to trusted charitable organizations.
  
  

• Avoid package thefts. Try to avoid having packages delivered when you are not home. Have packages delivered to your work, or select an alternate delivery option from the online seller. Set up notifications to track your packages and if they are delivered to your home while you’re away, ask a neighbor to grab them for you. 
  
  

• Travel smart. Traveling during the holidays? Keep travel plans offline and let your neighbors know to help keep an eye on your house while you are away. We also recommend getting automatic timers for your lights (both indoors and outdoors).  Never post where you are going, when you are leaving, or when you’ll be back.  This is prime information for a burglar because they’ll know when your house will be empty. 
  
  

• Notify a neighbor.  If you decide to go out of town during the holiday, be sure to notify a trusted neighbor.  Ask them to keep an eye on your house and report any suspicious activity.  Make arrangements to keep snow from piling up on your sidewalks and driveway when you are away.  This is a clue to a potential criminal that nobody is home. 
  
  

• Break down boxes after the holidays.  We see it all too often when homeowners place the box of that 72-inch big screen TV outside on trash collection day.  You are advertising to a potential burglar what you have inside of your home.  Break down boxes and place them in the trash receptacle, especially for the higher value items. 

 
And the biggest tip from the Firestone Police Department, if you see something, say something. Contact the Firestone Police Department by calling 720-652-4222 and asking to speak with an officer on duty or call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.