TALKING TURKEY: TRAVEL DAY SAFETY TIPS

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

By Paula H. Dickenson, USN, Retired Crime Prevention Specialist
Alpine & Rural Crime Prevention, San Diego Sheriff's Alpine substation

 

November 22, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--Travel safety and prevention tips have taken on a new meaning during tough economic times. Opportunistic thieves may be looking for unprotected homes or pre-occupied travelers.

 

The Alpine Sheriff's Deputies wish you a safe Thanksgiving Holiday with these following safety tips to avoid problems during the start of the busiest travel season of the year.

 


Safety begins at home

* Make sure your house looks "lived-in" when you are away.
* Lock all doors and windows, set household lights on timers.
* Trim your hedges/bushes so thieves cannot have a place to hide. Have a neighbor park a car in your driveway to make it appear as if someone is home.
* If you have an alarm system, use it to control access points.
* Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to watch your house.


Watch out for clever criminals

 

* Do not stop if your car is bumped from behind or if someone says there is something wrong with your car.
* Go to a well-lit, populated area and call for help.
* Fill the gas tank before dark and lock your doors when you leave.
* Remove valuables from your car and lock the doors.

Safety away from home

* Carry money separately from credit cards.
* Do not overburden yourself with packages to avoid being an easy target.
* Stick to well-lighted and well-traveled streets at all times.
* Select ATM machines in visible, well-lighted locations.
* Do not leave valuables in your hotel room. Most hotels have safes for guest use.
* Keep your hotel room door locked, even when you are inside.

"Failure to prepare, is preparing for failure."

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.