State's top law enforcement agency offers holiday safety tips | Opinion

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
·4 min read

Citizens of Florida are in the midst of the holiday season, preparing to spend time with loved ones and celebrating across the state. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) urges citizens to be vigilant during the holidays, as the presence of threats, scams and risks are higher during this time of year.

Criminals may try to take advantage of holiday shoppers, whether in shopping malls, stores or online.

When shopping at stores, following these tips can help you keep yourself and your purchases safe:

  • Always park in well-lit, well-travelled areas.

  • Make sure to lock your car before going shopping.

  • Take a photo of where you park so you can easily find your car.

  • Keep your purse close to your body or your wallet in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket.

  • When checking out, don't take your money out until asked and don't flash a lot of cash.

  • If shopping with children, select a central location to meet in case you are separated. Teach kids how to ask a security guard or employee for help if they're lost.

  • Try to only use one credit card.  If a data breach or identify theft occurs, you can reduce the risk of having multiple cards compromised.

  • Always keep your shopping bags away from opposing pedestrian traffic (if someone is walking towards your right, keep your bag on the left).

  • If you’re taking a break from shopping, keep your purchases in your trunk so they are not visible to passersby.

Holiday shopping scenes at The Avenue Viera. FDLE reminds shoppers to stay alert and park in well-lit areas, among other safety tips.
Holiday shopping scenes at The Avenue Viera. FDLE reminds shoppers to stay alert and park in well-lit areas, among other safety tips.

When shopping online, stay alert for fake marketplace listings, unsecure websites, and phishing/smishing scams. Citizens can also keep themselves safer from scammers and bad actors by following these best practices:

  • Make sure you’re shopping on secure websites (usually labelled with “https” or a padlock).

  • Stick to retailers you know and, preferably, have shopped with before.

  • Refrain from using public Wi-Fi to make purchases, or use a VPN to avoid hackers intercepting your information.

  • Always use a credit card when shopping online. If you are scammed, it can be easier to get your money returned than on a debit card.

  • Do your research on any deals and never commit to a deal that seems too good to be true.

  • Avoid clicking any links in suspicious, unsolicited texts and emails, as they can be used to gain access to your information.

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During the holiday season, deliveries and packages are at an increased rate, which attracts porch pirates to neighborhoods. Citizens can deter porch pirates using the following tips:

  • Invest in a security system or a camera system that can be set up with view of your porch.

  • Use a porch lock-box, or leave specific delivery instructions to help delivery drivers leave the package in a safe place.

  • Coordinate with a neighbor so they can bring in packages for you when you’re not going to be home.

  • If sending a package, let the recipient know approximately when the package will be delivered so they can arrange for the package to be brought inside safely.

The holiday season brings plenty of opportunities for Floridians to indulge and have fun at community events, but it can also increase the risk of impaired driving. Citizens can use the following tips to avoid fatal car incidents:

  • Always designate a sober driver when going out as a group.

  • If you’re going out alone, refrain from drinking excessively so you can stay aware of your surroundings.

  • Make sure someone knows where you are by sharing your location or contacting them.

  • Never accept a drink unless you have witnessed the drink being made by the bartender.

  • Never leave your drink unattended, as to avoid being tampered with.

  • If you decide to drink, call a taxi or ride-share service to take you home. You can coordinate with a friend or the same services to bring you back the next day to retrieve your car.

Always designate a sober driver before drinking at holiday parties.
Always designate a sober driver before drinking at holiday parties.

Floridians have seen an increased risk of emergencies and threats at large events, specifically spiritual and holiday-related events. Citizens can use these tips when going to large events during the holidays:

  • Make sure to always travel with your group, especially if you have children with you.

  • Plan an emergency exit route, be aware of all emergency exits, and determine a safe meeting place.

  • Make sure everyone in your party knows where to meet in case they get separated from the group.

  • Stay aware and vigilant of your surroundings.

  • If you see something, say something! Report suspicious activity to 855-FLA-SAFE or call 911.

FDLE urges citizens to be extra careful this holiday season, but to also enjoy it to the fullest!

Report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency or call 855-FLA-SAFE.  For more information about the indicators of suspicious activity, visit Florida’s “If You See Something, Say Something” tool kit here:  https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FFC/S4/Tools.aspx.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: FDLE offers tips on staying safe for the holidays