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Caution, safety urged during holiday season
By COURTNEY MARTIN, LTN Staff Writer
Nov. 23 - The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration but it can turn into a nightmare.
The trappings of Christmas lend themselves to fire. The accumulation of gifts invite theft.
You may need to shop and deal with family, but you can avoid a fire or a crime messing up your holiday with just a few safeguards.
Here are some suggestions from Mike Futrell, Lincoln County Fire Marshal, and Lt. Kenny Shrum, Crime Prevention officer at the Lincolnton Police Department:
· Most important, water
your Christmas tree every day! If the stand gets dry, the trunk will seal over and not take in any more water.
· Place your tree away from heat sources and be sure it does not block an exit.
· You
should use lights, in-doors and out, that are in perfect condition and that have a tag showing they are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for safety.
· Always unplug the lights and blow out candles
before going to bed or leaving the house.
· For added safety, try to buy flame-resistant decorations.
· Always, keep matches and lights away from children.
There are also plenty of things you
can do to help prevent crimes during your holiday.
"Due to people being out of work, there's going to be more crime," said Shrum.
· Avoid setting out any packages that might tell people what
you have bought. It would be like an advertisement to thieves. You should either keep receipts or shred them.
· Walk and park only in well lighted areas when shopping. Walk confidently and be aware of people
around you. Try not to shop alone.
· You should keep your car doors locked at all times, both after entering and leaving your car. Keep any packages you have bought in the trunk or out of sight.
· Make
sure you have your car keys in hand so you don't have to linger before entering your car. Check the back seat and around the car before you get in.
· Don't carry much cash and try to use checks or credit
cards instead. If you do use cash, don't let people see how much you have when you pay.
· Carry something for self-protection. You can buy some pepper spray, use the panic button on your keyless entry, or use
a whistle. Anything that will bring attention to you will work.
· Avoid parking beside vans or large trucks. They can block you and your car from the view of others.
· Teach your children if they get
separated from you in a shopping mall, they should go to a cashier and say they are lost.
· Be cautious when taking children shopping warned Shrum, it's a bad time for missing children. "That would be
the worst thing. It would ruin a holiday."
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