Street Survival Tactics


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Street Survival Tactics

November 14, 2022 by Rick Grover

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Street Survival Tactics

As we approach the holiday season let’s review a few security tips that can keep your holidays safe and crime free.

S449-1.jpgEven though more and more people are shopping online for their holiday gift giving, there are still a lot of us that like to get out and do it the old-fashioned way – in person. How else will you experience the excitement of the colorful decorations and holiday music along with your fellow shoppers? Plan your shopping trips along with other friends and family members. The old adage “safety in numbers” is true.

If you are shopping alone and leaving the store with a lot of bags, especially at night, ask a security guard or store employee to escort you to your vehicle until you are secure and driving away. If you have several stops before going home, it’s best to lock the packages in the trunk out of sight.

Neighborhoods are still being patrolled day and night by porch thieves looking to snatch delivered boxes waiting outside your door for you to come home. If you can have a home-bound neighbor bring in your boxes as soon as they’re delivered or have them delivered to your work address, you can reduce the chance of stolen gifts. 

If you must shop online, get a low balance credit card just for online purchases rather than use your debit card with full access to your bank account. If the credit card gets compromised, your risk would be minor, and you may not be liable for charges on items not received due to theft.

Protect your trash after opening gifts. Don’t advertise your new 60-inch screen TV and other items by leaving the box out for trash pickup. 

If you’re going to be traveling during the holidays, make sure you secure your home, put lights on timers so people driving by think your home, have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers, and let them know you’ll be gone for a few days and to keep watch on your home.

Don’t carry a lot of cash when shopping and only take the credit cards you’ll use. Put your wallet in your front pocket for better security Thieves have been known to use a razor blade to cut the bottom of your pants pocket and then follow you until your wallet falls out. 

Better to NOT wear expensive jewelry while shopping which just brings the wrong kind of attention to you. Practice your situational awareness by turning around once in awhile to see if you’re being followed, change directions, etc. 

S449-2.jpgThis is a good time to remember to change your batteries in your smoke detectors, change computer and cell phone passwords, and practice good fire protection when it comes to burning candles, worn wiring on Christmas trees and other decorations. Cooking fires also seem to peak during the holidays, especially with large pots of peanut oil for your annual fried turkey. Have a fire extinguisher always ready and make sure it has not expired and you know how to use it correctly.

Frozen conditions are on the way so protect walkways with sand or salt to help melt away dangerous walkways. Try not to place items on stairs to the second floor to take up next time you go up. Other family members may not notice when they’re coming down and accidents like this happen every day.

If you’re putting up decorations on your home with a ladder, make sure someone else is at home with you, to help secure the ladder, but also in case you fall. Too many wives have come home from shopping to find their husband laying in the bushes after falling off the ladder. Remember the scene in Christmas Vacation? 

One final thought, do not overload your electrical outlets, and keep a First Aid kit handy where all family members can reach it.

Stay safe out there Street Survivors!

 May God Bless America Again!

Rick ‘Pirate Hunter’ Grover strongly believes we are all in this together, and the more we learn and train, the better we will be prepared for any eventuality. This makes all of us part of an amazing neighborhood team of American Patriots. God Bless America!

Drop us a comment or question at Email: StreeTactics@gmail.com  ■

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