Tips for a safe holiday season

View larger image: RCMP Patrol vessel Seahorse with Santa on board

'Tis the season for celebration, good company and cheer. Where family's and friends come together and create cherished memories. This time of year is meant for good feelings and cheer, however the Grinch can come in many different forms.  As you plan for your holiday's please keep these safety tips in mind:

Protect yourself online:

• Only shop at reputable e-commerce sites, look for the lock symbol before the "https" at the beginning of the URL, this shows the site uses a secure encryption to protect your data
• Be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls, most big name companies do not request personal or banking information this way. Email's and text's will often include a link to a website asking you to either provide or confirm personal information
• Use secure, password protected wi-fi networks
• Monitor your bank and credit card statements daily 
• Change your online passwords regularly
• If an online deal or offer is too good to be true, it probably is
• Schedule deliveries for times when your home, consider directing packages to your workplace or a trusted neighbour. 

Stay safe on the road:

• Don't drive impaired, plan ahead and arrange for a safe ride home. Have a designated driver, take a cab or use a service such as operation Red Nose. 
• Check the weather before hand and allow extra time for changing weather conditions.  If the weather is bad, stay home, better to wait and be late then not make it at all. 
• Call 911 if you believe someone is driving while impaired. 
• Keep your distance, keep your cool and keep your loved ones safe. 

Your home:

• Always keep your Christmas Tree immersed in water, use a tree stand for stability and keep it away from heat sources (fireplaces, baseboards, etc.)
• Choose non-combustible and non-conductive decorations
• Use Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified lights, remember outdoor lights may be too hot for indoor use and indoor lights are non-weatherproof.
• Let your neighbour's know if you will be leaving your home unattended, invest in a security system and make sure your doors/windows are locked.
• Big ticket items come with big boxes, when these are left on the curb after the big day it advertises what is inside. 
• If a crime has occurred, do not enter your home.  Contact police right away, do not touch or clean anything up.  

If you observe a crime or any suspicious activity contact your local police.  You can also report certain crimes online, for the Outer Gulf islands RCMP visit:

https://ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/outergulfislands/en

Happy holidays from the Outer Gulf Islands RCMP.