#25DaysofChristmas
#25DaysofChristmas
Beware of counterfeit money!
Check to make sure your bill is legit is to look at the serial numbers on the back and front to make sure those letters match. Look for the blue and red threads that are inside our currency that is produced by the U.S. government. Marking pens come in handy to check a bill as well. Pay attention to people that may be trying to distract you. Please be mindful and ask your clerks to check all large bills handed to them for verification and if you do receive one call authorities. If you should receive counterfeit money, call your local law enforcement agency right away.
#25DaysofChristmas
Identity Theft
How to protect yourself from Identity Theft during the holidays!
• Beware of emails that contain links or unsolicited phone calls.
• Use caution when shopping online.
• Review your account statements frequently.
• Watch for skimmers.
• Be cautious of new retail card applications.
• Limit social media sharing.
• Shop from a secure computer and using a secure connection. (Don’t shop on public Wi-Fi)
#25DaysofChristmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Cordele Lions Club Christmas Parade begins Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 6:00 PM. Here are a few precautions to ensure you and your loved ones can enjoy the Christmas Parade with peace of mind.
- ARRIVE EARLY. Arriving early allows you to find a safe spot for your family prior to the heavy foot traffic.
2. SELECT A MEETING SPOT. Agree prior to the parade on a meeting spot in case your group becomes separated.
3. PARK SAFELY. If you have avoid it don’t park in a place that you will block traffic when the parade ends. When attending a parade at night, make sure you park in a safe, well-lit area.
4. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER. Wear the right kind of clothes to protect you and your family from the elements.
5. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREEN. Make sure they stay on the correct side to avoid crossing paths with the procession.
6. SEE SOMETHING,SAY SOMETHING. Like any public event, pay attention to your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement officials. - "See Something, Say Something" is a brand utilized by many states across the country. The message is simple: please speak up if you witness any unusual behavior. Our citizens are our greatest asset, our eyes and ears out and about in our community. We can all help keep our community safe by paying attention to our surroundings and reporting suspicious activity.
- To report suspicious activities, tips, or crimes citizens can CALL/TEXT our tip hotline at (229-322-8891), submit online at https://crispcountysheriff.com/crime-stopper, or call our office at (229-276-2600). Reporters can remain anonymous if desired. For imminent threats, always call 9-1-1.
#25DaysofChristmas
Be cautious while using SOCIAL MEDIA during the holidays!
- Don’t post if you are traveling or going to be away from home on social media.
- Be wary of checking into locations on social media.
- Talk to your kids about social media safety.
- Check your privacy settings.
- Be selective about posting pictures from inside your home.
- Use caution when posting pictures of gifts or tickets online.
- Be wary of which products/stores you check into and post pictures from.
#25DaysofChristmas
The following safety tips can make your car less appealing to thieves:
- Always lock up.
- Grab your keys.
- Do not leave your vehicle idling.
- Parking in well-lit areas is safer for you and your car.
- Shut your windows and sunroof.
- Avoid leaving valuables in your car: Shopping bags, suitcases, laptop accessories, GPS devices, and smartphones entice thieves. Keep all packages and other valuables in the trunk if you have to leave them in your car.
- Consider anti-theft devices.
#25DaysofChristmas
Protect your home during the holidays!
- Make sure gifts are not visible from the outside. Conceal all valuables.
- Use discretion when posting on social media. (Keep your travel plans offline.)
- Be careful about disposing of packaging.
- Do not run external lights through a window.
- Make sure your home is lit well.
- Put your lights on a timer.
- Be wary of door to door donation seekers.
- Ensure all locks are intact. Secure all entrances.
- Request increased patrol/Vacation Checks.
#25DaysofChristmas – Travel Safety
- Allow extra time in your schedule. This is one of the busiest times to travel and patience and flexibility is needed.
- Have a cell phone with you.
- Avoid driving during late night hours. There is an increased incidence of drunk driving during this time, especially on weekends.
- Keep a safety kit in your vehicle. The kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, first aid kit, water, non-perishable food items, matches, blankets, and flares or other warning devices. You should also include an ice scraper, small shovel and a bag of sand or kitty litter in case you get stuck in the snow.
- Driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol.
- Even if the weather and roads look okay in your neighborhood, that may not be the case 200 miles away. You will also want to check The Weather Channel to find out the weather conditions of the interstates and roads you will be traveling on.
- Wear a seat belt
#25DaysofChristmas - Holiday Cooking Safety
• Always remain in the kitchen while cooking food on the stove top. Whenever you are utilizing the oven make sure to use the timer and conduct kitchen checks.
• Keep the cooking ware clean and free of easily combustible items such as food packaging, drapes, towels, food wrappers and pot holders. They should be kept a minimum of 3 feet away from the oven, stove or other hot surface.
• When cooking, do not wear clothing with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. The clothing can catch on fire and the jewelry can catch on pot handles, causing spills and burns.
• Keep young children away from the cooking area and closely monitored while they are in the kitchen.
• When deep-frying a turkey, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions relating to the proper usage of the cooker. It should be placed on a level surface, in an open area away from homes, fences, sheds and other structures. Never place the cooker on a wooden deck or inside a garage. The cooker should be monitored at all times and children should not be allowed in the area while the cooker is being used.
• Not only humans face hazards during cooking of Christmas Dinners. Dogs and other pets should be prevented from getting into or near the cooking area.
#25DaysofChristmas Keep your children safe this Christmas!
Toy Safety Tips:
• Read all warning labels carefully before purchasing any item.
• Consider a child’s age, interests, and skill levels when purchasing toys.
• Once the gifts are opened, quickly discard plastic wrapping.
• Look for toys with sturdy construction and avoid items with sharp edges and points.
• Choking is one of the leading causes of toy-related death. Most of these deaths are attributed to toy balls, latex balloons and small magnets.
• Small items can be risky for young children. For children under age three, choose toys that are at least 1 inch in diameter and 2 inches long, so they will not lodge in a child’s mouth or throat.
• Beware of toy jewelry that may contain lead or cadmium. Both substances can be harmful to children who put items containing these chemicals into their mouths.
• To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age 10) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
• Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
• Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children.
• Be extra cautious about toys that are handed down from friends and relatives that may not have warning labels. Inspect these toys carefully and use your best judgment.
• Be careful with button batteries found in toys. If ingested, they can become lodged in the esophagus and cause serious injury and even death.
• High-power magnets can be found in some toys. If a child ingests more than one, the magnets can attract to one another and result in serious injury or even death. Seek medical attention if your child ingests one or more magnets
#25DaysofChristmas
Remember to break your boxes down this Christmas in an effort to disguise valuable gifts from potential thieves. Don’t advertise all your new Christmas goodies.