The Cupertino Courier

News

Making the holiday season a safer, happier time for all

By Erin Hussey

The city of Cupertino and its Neighborhood Watch program has some advice for residents aimed at making for a safer and hapier holiday season.

While driving, residents are reminded to keep all car doors and windows locked and not to leave packages or valuables visible inside the vehicle. Be sure and locate your keys before going to your car.

Choose Automatic Teller Machines that are located in a well-lighted area. Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad and don't throw away the ATM receipt.

You can get distracted while shopping, so stay alert to your surroundings and beware of strangers trying to approach you. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or excess credit cards. Because it's important to have clear visibility and mobility, avoid overloading yourself with packages.

Be sure to always carry your driver's license or an identifiction card.

Children can be particularly vulnerable, so take steps to insure their safety.

Make sure they know their address and telephone number to give to police officers. Younger children should be in possession of emergency notification information.

Keep your children close and never allow them to make unaccompanied trips. Teach them to go to a store clerk if they get separated.

On the home front, you should be particularly careful about making sure windows and doors are locked.

Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible though windows, and don't leave empty boxes for such things as a computer or television outside. That only advertises to potential things what new items you've purchased.

Also, be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.