During the year-end holidays, people are often busy, excited and sometimes a little bit careless. The following tips can serve as a reminder on how to lessen your chances of becoming a victim of crime. The Cedar Hill Police Department P.A.C.T. (Police and Community Together) Unit wishes you and your family a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

At Home

• Be sure to lock doors and windows when you leave your house or apartment, even for a few minutes.
• Don’t display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store gifts before you go away on a trip.
• If you go out for the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house or apartment appears to be occupied.
• If you take a holiday trip away from your home, have some interior lights activated by an automatic timer. Have a neighbor or family member watch your house, pick up the mail and newspaper and park his or her motor vehicle in your driveway from time to time.
• Take advantage of the Police Department's Vacation House Check program, Just come by the Police Department at the Government Center (285 Uptown Blvd.), fill out a form and officers will check the security of your home each day you are away.
• Participate in Operation Identification and mark your valuables with a unique identification number.
• Be wary of strangers soliciting for charitable donations. They may attempt to take advantage of people’s generosity during the holidays. Ask for identification, how donated funds are used, if contributions are tax deductible, etc. If you aren’t satisfied with the answers, don’t give.
• Immediately after the holidays, mark new gifts with an identification number and record new serial numbers.
• Test your smoke detectors.
• Use only fire resistant ornaments on a holiday tree and make sure electric lights are in good working order. Don’t leave the lights on overnight or when you are away from home.
• If you have guests, advise them of your security precautions and make sure they follow them.
• Avoid leaving boxes from purchases (especially TVs, VCRs, computers, etc.) out on the curb for trash pickup.

Shopping

• Shop before dark if possible. Possibly coordinate shopping trips with a friend. Never park in an unlit lot or area, no matter how convenient it is.
•  Lock your packages and gifts in your vehicle’s trunk. Keep your vehicle’s doors locked and windows closed.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check, credit card, debit card when possible.
• To discourage purse-snatchers, don’t overburden yourself with packages. Have your purchases delivered whenever practical.
• Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse under your arm. Keep a wallet in an inside jacket pocket, not a back trouser pocket.
• Teach children to go to a store clerk or security guard and ask for help if you become separated. They should never go into a parking lot alone.
•  While walking to your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings; make eye contact while passing strangers.
•  Scan the parking lot as you are walking to your car, if something appears suspicious go back in the store and call police.