With the holiday season upon us, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office shares several safety tips to help keep you safe around your home, car, and out in the community.
- Lock the doors of your residence, place of business, and your car. This helps deter the opportunity of a theft.
- Take anything of value out of your car. Never leave anything in plan site.
- Use lighting to your advantage, it is a great way to help deter crime. Park in well lite areas when shopping and make sure you leave lights on timers within your residence and place of business.
- While shopping or out and about, bring only what you need with you. Do not carry extra cash, credit cards, or gift cards with you or in your car. Please also remember to keep your purse close to your body and always in your sight.
- Be aware of your surroundings: while shopping, do not overload yourself with carrying too many bags. If you need to make a trip to the car and then you continue to shop, move your car to a new location.
- Be watchful of someone watching you or following you while you shop, go in and out of buildings, and even while you are driving to your destination.
- If you will be out of town, ask trusted family or friends to watch over your house. Make sure you either stop your mail and newspaper or have someone pick it up.
- Check your financial accounts often for unauthorized purchases. Checking your accounts online daily is best! If you see withdrawals you did not make, report them immediately to your local police department and your financial institution.
- If you observe someone suspicious or what you believe to be suspicious activity, please notify the police jurisdiction in a timely manner. Provide us a description of who or what you observed.
- If you are a victim of a crime, please make a report with your police jurisdiction.
