As we all have the potential to be victims of crime, it is important to remember that Safety Starts With YOU!

By taking a few precautions, each of us can REDUCE THE RISK of being victimized by eliminating the opportunity during the holiday season or while on vacation.

Holiday Safety Starts With You

Look Safe

• Always be aware of your surroundings

• Walk in a purposeful manner when going to and from destinations and keep your head up

• Limit visible displays of jewellery and other high value items, particularly when you travel

Outdoors

• Let others know where you’re going and when you’re expected to return

• Keep to a route you know is safe - stay away from isolated areas

• In the event that you are lost approach a shopkeeper, gas station attendant or other safe stranger and ask for directions

• Carry your purse close to you with your arm on it for support. Be careful NOT to wrap the purse strap around your neck or wrist as it may cause serious injury if someone tries to take it

While Shopping Or Sightseeing

• Do not carry large amounts of cash - carry only the cash, credit cards and identification that you need and use a tuck away pouch

• Never leave your purse or wallet unattended in a change room or shopping cart – EVEN FOR A SECOND!

• Leave expensive jewelry at home or in a safe place such as the hotel safety deposit box

• Keep receipts for all purchases

• Avoid over burdening yourself with parcels

• Avoid contact with strangers in isolated places and don’t allow anyone into your personal space

In Your Car

• Look inside the vehicle both back and front before entering it and keep your doors locked at all times

• If you have car trouble, seek help where available or stay in your locked vehicle. If someone offers you assistance, remain in the car and ask the person to call Police - keep your windows up

• Do not leave parcels, packages or luggage in plain view in your vehicle – lock all valuables in the trunk/keep them out of sight!

At Home

• Arrange for timely outdoor maintenance such as mowing the lawn or clearing the snow, especially when you’re away

• Cancel all deliveries and arrange for a reliable neighbour to pick up your mail and flyers when not at home

• Set your lights to go on and off to give your home a lived-in look

• Avoid the display of large cardboard boxes that contained high value electronics items when it comes to recycling day

• Keep a record of your valuables

• Identify your property by using a Tracer Identified pen

• Watch out for your neighbours and report any suspicious activity to the Police

Additional Safe Travelling Tips

• Use an auto club, travel agency or other reliable sources of information to find out as much as possible about the place you are going to - ask about what you should do and what to avoid

• Before leaving, photocopy all travel documents such as passport and airline tickets and keep it in a safe place that you can access

• Keep cash and credit cards to a minimum and record details of the cards (including phone numbers) and store it in a safe place that you can access if they are lost or stolen. Notify your credit card company if you plan to use the card while away

• Do not put your address on your luggage tags, consider using your business address instead

• Keep all of your medication in your carry-on luggage

• During long layovers in terminals, use coin operated lockers to store your belongings and NEVER leave it unattended

• When sightseeing-trust your instincts. Be wary of strangers who offer help or invade personal space - this may be a distraction

• Learn to recognize the uniforms of local law enforcement officers

• Avoid isolated areas of your hotel

• Do not take expensive items to the beach and avoid wandering on the beach alone

• Remember to get travel insurance, use sunscreen and drink bottled water

If A Crime Has Occured

• Do NOT enter your home or hotel room - the criminal may still be inside

• Use your cell or borrow a phone to call the Police

• Do NOT touch anything or clean up until the Police have inspected for evidence

• Note the description of any suspicious people

• Note the licence number of any suspicious vehicles

To report a crime anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), online at 222tips.com or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637)

In an emergency, call 9-1-1

To report a crime to the Toronto Police that is not an emergency, call 416-808-2222