COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) -- Here are some tips to make sure you and your family stay safe while you are about and about having fun.
Never leave your packages or pursue inside your vehicle. Put your valuables in the trunk of the vehicle.
Beware of people asking for money to benefit different charities. If you are not sure about the organization please call 911.
Beware of home repair scams if you did not call for a repair company or someone comes to your door and you are not familiar with them, call 911.
Be careful about carrying large sums of cash and credit cards.
Never use a video arcade or toy store as a baby sitter; predators are on the prowl for unattended children.
Park in well-lit parking lots and park as close to the mall or store as possible.
If you are going away for the holiday, let a neighbor know that your home will not be occupied and have someone pick up your mail and newspapers.
After the holidays, be sure to break down card boards boxes from gifts for recycling so that a potential burglar does not know your home has a new computer, TV, video game system, etc. List all valuables items with serial numbers and keep them in a safe place with a picture of the items.
If someone does try to rob you, don’t resist. Give up your property – do not endanger your life. Report the crime to the police as soon as possible, and try to describe the attacker accurately. Your rapid reporting of the incident may prevent others from becoming victims.
Senior citizens are often targets of financial scams, especially during the holiday season. Senior citizens should call 911 to report any suspicious persons or activities in their neighborhood.
A reminder to parents, please talk with your children about curfews while they are out of school for the Thanksgiving and Christmas break.
