Summer provides the perfect opportunity to spend lots of time outside. People take advantage of the sunny weather to do outdoor projects, take their families to fun places, relax and keep cool. For criminals, however, it's a very busy time of year.
It can be easy to forget to close a door or window, but if they are left open it creates an easy opportunity for a burglar. Criminals focus on easy targets; make it difficult for them to choose you. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department wants to remind you of some tips to keep yourself, your family, your home and your valuables safe.
At Home
• Always lock your doors and windows especially at night and when you're away
• Close your garage and pet doors
• Secure ladders and tools so they can't be used to gain entry into your home
• Be wary of anyone who approaches your front door and don't let them take up too much of your time. Criminals work together; one will come to your door and distract you while the other sneaks into your home. Ask for an ID of a utility person.
• Be a good neighbor, lookout for one another.
• Excessive dog barking could be a sign of an intruder and may warrant a call to the Sheriff's Department.
• Report suspicious activity to the Sheriff's non-emergency line (858) 565-5200
• Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialists offer a free security check to show vulnerabilities in your home. Call your local Station or Substation. For more information, visit www.sdsheriff.net/patrol.
When going on vacation
• Lock up your home, activate your alarm
• Don't share your plans on social media
• Hold the delivery of your mail and newspaper or ask a trusted friend to pick them up for you
• Buy a timer for your lights and set them in a random pattern
• Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway
• Sign up for a FREE vacation check so Sheriff's Senior Volunteer Patrol (SVP) members can keep an eye on your home. Visit www.sdsheriff.net.
Pool Safety
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages one to four. Drownings and injuries are highest in warm weather months, from May to August. These simple steps can save lives:
• Keep children within arm's reach at all times in and around the pool
• Assign an adult water watcher
• Fence your pool with self-closing or self-latching gates
• Install pool and gate alarms
• Learn CPR
• Simon the Sheriff's Bloodhound Safety Puppet also has some pool safety tips to share with kids. Just go to www.sdsheriff.net/simon
Car Safety
• Never leave your car running unattended, even to dash into a store
• Always roll up your windows and lock your car even in hot weather
• Never leave valuables in plain sight
• Park cars in well-lit areas
• Never leave any keys in the car or ignition
• Preventing Car Burglaries Flyer: http://goo.gl/0cZlCF
Heatstroke
Did you know it's illegal to leave a child under the age of six alone in a car? Kaitlyn's Law requires that any child left in a car must have supervision from a person who is 12 years of age or older.
• Never leave a child alone in a car
• Where's baby? Look before you lock
• Always lock the car and keep keys out of reach
• Teach children that a car is not a play area
• On an 80° day, a car can reach deadly levels in just ten minutes
• Remember, when a child's temperature reaches 107°, they die
Bike Safety
• Always wear a helmet
• Follow the rules of the road
• Ride with the flow of traffic, not against it
• Wear bright-colored or reflective clothing
• If you're not riding, lock your bike
• Parents, set parameters on where kids are allowed to ride
• For more bike safety tips, watch a video at www.sdsheriff.net/crimeprevention.
SAVE THE DATE! National Night Out Against Crime is TUESDAY, AUGUST 5th. We will be sending more details soon regarding events in your neighborhoods. You can also check www.sdsheriff.net for updates.
You can always report suspicious activity, by calling us at (858) 565-5200. For more safety tips, visit www.sdsheriff.net/crimeprevention.
Stay safe.
