Lakeway police offer shopping, travel tips this holiday season

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With Thanksgiving comes a busy travel week and a big shopping weekend ahead.

The Lakeway Police Department is offering these tips this holiday season to help shoppers and travelers avoid giving criminals an opportunity to spoil their holiday cheer.

FOR TRAVELERS: 

• Have directions and check road conditions before you head out
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Stick to well-traveled roads when possible
• Take a cell phone and car charger for emergencies
• Ensure your car is in good mechanical condition and that you have appropriate tires for the road conditions you may encounter
• Have the correct car seats for children and make sure they are installed properly
• Keep an emergency kit and blankets in your trunk
• If you need to use your GPS or cell phone, pull over to the side of the road when it's safe to do so
• Advise someone of your travel route and when you plan to leave home and arrive at your destination
• Cancel your newspaper when you are away and arrange for your mail to be held temporarily

FOR SHOPPERS: 

• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings
• Park in well-lit areas, lock the car, close your windows and hide all gifts and shopping bags in the trunk
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Carry your purse close to your body and put your wallet in an inside or front pants pocket
• Lock your doors immediately upon entering your vehicle
• Teach kids to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated and don’t allow your kids to go off by themselves

BE ON THE ALERT FOR HOLIDAY PACKAGE THIEVES:

• Track deliveries online and confirm delivery has occurred
• Install a doorbell camera
• If you know a family member or neighbor will be home, ask them to pick up packages as soon as they are delivered 
• Switch delivery location to your place of work or somewhere it can be received by someone
• See if the post office or store the product is being shipped from can hold the package for pickup

WHEN DECORATING:

• Make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home when setting up holiday displays
• Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, pets, and visitors cannot pull it over on themselves.
• Use caution when using ladders to install lights or holiday decor.

WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE:

• Do not go to company websites through emailed links
• Check the Better Business Bureau to see if they've had any complaints
• Look for a padlock icon in the upper right corner of any webpage asking for credit card information, indicating it is secure
• If purchasing or selling using apps like Offer Up, Let Go or Facebook Marketplace, make sure to meet in a well-lit public location and try not to go alone

Those traveling can also request to be put on a "House Watch" by Lakeway police.

For more tips, check out this infographic from Lakeway police.