Safety Tips

Shopping and Driving

• Stay alert to your surroundings.
• If you have a cell phone, take it with you.
• Park in a well-lit space away from bushes.
• Lock your car and roll up the windows.
• Don't overload yourself with packages. Take a trip back to the car if necessary with extra packages. Hide packages in trunk or under a blanket.
• Have you car keys in hand before heading to the parking lot.
• If involved in a property damage collision, drive to the nearest well-lit spot where light and other people are present.
• If a person other than the police wave you to stop, acknowledge them, but drive to the nearest well-lit spot where light and other people are present. If available, use your cell phone to tell the police you are being pulled over by an unmarked vehicle.
• Do not leave children unattended in vehicles that cannot care for themselves.

Shopping with Children

• Stay in a group. If not, make a time and place to meet.
• Teach kids to go to a store clerk or security guard if separated or if there is a problem.
• Keep children under 4 in a stroller or close to you.
• If placing your child in a shopping cart, use the safety belt. About 21,000 kids (age 5 and under) are treated in emergency rooms yearly for shopping cart injuries.
• Watch your purse. Don't leave it in your cart unattended. If taken, immediately report it to the store personnel and the police.