Holiday Safety Tips 

From the Ada County Sheriff’s Office

 Just by using a little planning and some good common sense,
 most holiday crimes can be avoided. 

Driving

• Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside.
• Do not leave packages on the seat of your car.  This creates a temptation for thieves.
• When approaching and leaving your vehicle be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.
• Ask mall or store security for an escort before leaving your shopping location.
• Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle and never leave your house key with the attendant at the car wash or if using valet parking.
   

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

• If you go to an automatic teller machine, try to go during the daylight hours. 
• If you must go at night, pick a machine that is well lighted and visible to passing traffic, or inside a grocery or convenience store.
• If anyone is lurking near the machine, pass it up and find another one. 
• Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you.
• Do not throw your ATM receipt away at the ATM location.
   
 

Shopping

• Dress casually and comfortably.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert of your surroundings.
• Don’t “flash” large rolls of money in public.  You never know who’s watching!  Also, spread your money around in different pockets.  That way a pickpocket can’t clean you out in one fell swoop. 
• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen, or misused.
• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages.  Besides making you appear defenseless, it is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
• Be aware that thieves and pickpockets also do some of their biggest business during the holiday season.  Ladies, don’t dangle your purse from your shoulder.  You are creating a perfect setup for a purse-snatcher.  Instead, keep your bag closed and carry it in front of you and close to your body. Do not carry spare keys in your purse.  Better yet, don’t even carry a purse.  Place your checkbook, cash, or credit cards in your front pockets.  Avoid carrying your checkbook, cash, and credit cards all together in one wallet, because if a thief gets the whole package together, they can cash checks with your identification and run up a large credit card bill in a short amount of time.
• Never give your credit card number over the telephone to anyone when you did not initiate the call.  And be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company when ordering merchandise over the telephone. 
 

Children

• If possible, leave small children at home with a trusted babysitter.
• Teach your child to go to a store clerk and ask for help in case your child is separated from you.
• Teach children to stay close to you at all times while shopping.
• Never allow children to make unaccompanied trips to the restroom.
• Children should never be allowed to go to the car alone and they should never be left alone in the car.
• Teach children their full name, address and telephone number to give to police officers.  Teach children to immediately inform you if a stranger is bothering them.
   

At Home

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail. 
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
• Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
• If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed.  Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
• Place live Christmas trees in water or wet sand to keep it green.
• Never place wrapping paper in your fireplace.
• After Christmas, don’t put out empty boxes advertising your new purchases (electronic equipment, TV’s, Computers, etc.).  Break the boxes down and deposit them in your trash, recycle bin or dumpster away from your home. 
• If you have a garage door opener, do not leave the control openly displayed in your car.  Keep the door leading from your house to your garage locked.  Try not to leave your garage door open at any time. 
   
  

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Deadly levels of carbon monoxide may build up in your home if fuels aren’t being burned completely and if there is inadequate ventilation.  Symptoms may include severe headaches, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea and shortness of breath.  At high levels, carbon monoxide can kill.  The Ada County Sheriff’s Office reminds you to properly maintain fuel-burning appliances and have them inspected by a trained professional.  Always supply adequate ventilation when using fuel-burning appliances.  

Although decorating can be fun and festive this time of year, it is important to use caution both at home and at work. To prevent a tragedy during this holiday season, here are some holiday decoration tips:
 

 Holiday Lighting

• Check all light strands before decorating.  Discard worn or frayed cords.
• When decorating a tree, use miniature lights, which have cool-burning bulbs.
• Use only outdoor lights on the outside of your home.
• Keep electrical connectors off the ground and out of puddles.
• Never connect more than three light strands together.
• To prevent moisture build up, wrap strand connections with a plastic bag and tie ends with Teflon tape.
   

Candles

• Place candles in a sturdy non-combustible holder.
• Keep pets away from candles, flammable materials, and other decorations.
• Never leave children alone with a burning candle.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
   
 

Christmas trees

• Use caution when buying a live tree.  Dried out trees are fire hazards.  Check for freshness by shaking the tree a few times.  If only a few needles fall off, the tree is fresh.
• Set the tree up in a stable tree stand that has widespread legs or a broad, flat base.
• Cut one inch off the trunk to help absorb water.  Check the water level daily.

If you use an artificial tree, clean it before use and storage.  Dust increases flammability.  Wash the tree or wipe it down with a cleaner.  Wrap it in plastic before storage. 
 

Operation Identification

The goal of Operation Identification is to deter property-related crime and to assist the Ada County Sheriff's Office in our efforts to find and return stolen or lost property to its rightful owner.  Remember the following:

For items that cannot be marked with an engraver, photograph or videotape the items

• Mark gifts with your Idaho Drivers License or Identification Card number.
• Do not use your Social Security Number.
   

Strangers at Your Door

• Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.
• It is not uncommon for criminals to take advantage of the generosity of people during the holiday season by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.
• Ask for their identification, and find out how the donated funds will be used.
• If you are not satisfied, do not donate.
• Donate to a recognized charitable organization.
   
 

Hosting a Party

• Offer options.  Have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages available such as juice, soda, bottled water, coffee & tea.
• Shift the party's emphasis from drinking to socializing by providing games, music, entertainment or other activities.
• Don’t let guests mix their own drinks.  Choose a reliable "bartender" to help keep track of the size and number of drinks a guest consumes.
• Make food and non-alcoholic drinks self-serve and easily available to encourage consumption.
• Close the bar or stop serving alcohol at least 90 minutes before the end of the party.  Only time will sober a person who has been drinking.
• Know who is driving.  Ask each group arriving who their designated driver is and give that person a "No thanks, I'm driving" button or sticker.  Collect car keys at the door.
   

Attending a Party

• Have something to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages.
• Eat high protein foods that will stay in your stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol into your system.
• Remember only time will eliminate the alcohol from your body.
• Know your safe limit.
• Never drink and drive.
   

Be Aware of and avoid drunk drivers

 Some signs to look out for include: 

• Drivers that are straddling lanes or driving on the centerline.
• Drivers who turn with a wide radius.
• Driving at speeds 10 miles per hour under the speed limit.
• Drivers who are following too closely.
• Drivers who have a slow response to traffic signals.
• Drivers braking erratically or stopping without cause.
•  Report drunk drivers immediately.  Call 911 with the license plate number, description of the vehicle and the direction it was traveling.
   
 

Holiday Drivers Warned To Be Careful

To help assure a safe and happy holiday season, the Ada County Sheriff offers the following Holiday Travel Safety Tips:

• Buckle Up!  Seat belts must be used in order to work.  To ensure a proper seat belt fit:
• The shoulder strap should cross the collarbone.  The lap belt should fit low and tight.
• Never slip the shoulder strap behind the back or under the arm.
• Pregnant women should place the lap belt under the abdomen as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs.
• Remember to bring Road Trip Essentials:  flashlight, road flares, duct tape (in case a hose breaks), a wrench, a screwdriver and a small First-Aid kit.
• Travel with an abrasive material such as sand or non-clumping cat litter for traction in case you get stuck in ice; take an ice scraper and a small shovel.
• Have your keys ready when walking out to the car from any location.
• Make sure the car is mechanically sound – always get a tune-up before going on any road trip.
• If you are using a rental car, learn about all the features before leaving the lot.
• Bring appropriate maps as a backup to your pre-planned route in case of detours.
• Never leave packages in full view.  This is an invitation to thieves.  Lock packages and other valuables in the trunk of your car.  
 

Be safe this holiday season and thank you for helping us spread the word.

Ada County Sheriff's Office

Emergency: 911   Non-emergency: 377-6790