Have a happy and safe holiday!

Authored by Leandro Delgado

The holidays are filled with the hustle and bustle of shopping and preparing for family gatherings. In all of the merriment, safety is the last thing on some people's minds. However, the holidays can be a time of personal loss and even tragedy when safety precautions are not taken.

Before you leave your house to go shopping, make sure you set your home Security to prevent thieves from breaking into your home and stealing gifts and other valuables. Shop with a friend if possible. Parking lot robberies seem to increase during the holiday shopping season. When shopping for holiday gifts keep yourself and your belongings safe from thieves. At night, park in areas with adequate lighting so that you can see if someone is lurking about the parking lot. Have your keys in you hands so that you will be ready to open your door as you approach your vehicle. If your key's have a feature that will sound an alarm, don't be afraid to use it if you feel that someone is about to rob you or hurt you in any way.

Place valuables in a locked trunk or out of view of prying eyes. When gifts and other items are left in plain view, thieves won't think twice about stealing them, so it is best keep them out of sight.