Cobb County public officials are providing tips to residents in order to keep them safe throughout the busy holiday season. Crowds are expected to grow significantly over the next few weeks as people do their holiday shopping, take children to visit Santa and prepare their home for the holidays.

Shop With Others
One suggestion made by Officer Brittany Wallace of the Marietta Police Department is to always shop with a partner and never shop alone. If you are shopping alone, ask mall security to walk with you to your vehicle in order to avoid being the victim of a crime. Be sure to have your keys in your hand as you approach your vehicle and always park in a well-lit area of the parking lot, even if you are shopping with someone else.

Store Purchased Items in Trunks
When you store purchases in your vehicle, always store them in the trunk of the car. If you drive an SUV with an open trunk, invest in a cover for the cargo area that will hide your purchases from thieves. Always keep the cargo cover pulled closed so that thieves are unsure whether there are packages in the vehicle or not. Always lock your vehicle even if you do not have packages stored inside.

Holiday Travel
If you plan to travel during the holidays, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your property for you and to report anything that appears suspicious. Be sure to schedule all deliveries for when you are home and contact the post office about holding all mail for you while you are away. Stop all newspaper deliveries as well. Purchase timers for lights in your home that will turn them on and off randomly so that it appears that your home is occupied. It is also possible to purchase a small electronic device that mimics the appearance of a flickering television for added safety.

Parking Lot Safety
When walking through the parking lot to enter a store or the mall, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t text or talk on your phone in parking lots and be aware of pedestrians who are doing so as they may be distracted. When parking lots are icy or snow covered, make eye contact with drivers as you walk through the lot. If the driver does not appear to notice you, move as far away from them as possible. Wear footwear with non-slip soles and ankle support to avoid falling in the parking lot as well. Only drive in marked driving areas and do not cut across parking areas in the lot. Watch for small children who may be overly excited and could escape the grasp of an adult with them.

The holiday season is a time for friends and family to gather, enjoy laughter, good food and share memories. Waggoner Insurance wants you to have the safest and happiest holiday possible. Contact us today regarding all your insurance needs, whether you need life, health, auto or home insurance. You can reach us by phone or online to learn how we can provide all your insurance needs.

Source:
MDJ Online