Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your house-and outside of every sleeping area.
All alarms should be tested once a month.
Alarms should be less than 10 years old.
You should have a family fire escape plan with a designated place for everyone to meet.
Adult supervision should be provided anytime food is cooking on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Space heaters should be at least 3 feet from any surfaces that can burn. They shouldn't be left on overnight.
Chimneys should be inspected and/or cleaned every year.
Fireplace screens should always used to protect you from sparks.
Fresh cut Christmas trees should be placed in a suitable stand with a water level above the fresh cut and checked daily.
When the tree becomes dry, it should immediately be removed from the building.
Menorahs should be placed away from any items that could catch on fire.
An adult should supervise lighting the candles and until they burn out.
Place waxed paper under menorahs to catch melted wax.
Staying Safe and Secure
Keep all items out of view in your car.
If you don't want to carry a purse, place it in your car trunk, prior to arriving at your destination.
Park in well lit, heavily trafficked areas. Avoid parking in isolated areas.
Lock your car doors and windows, and set the car alarm.
Arrange for all packages delivered to your home to be picked up by a trusted neighbor, or delivered to where you work, if you will not be home.
When shopping, keep your wallet and or money in an inside coat pocket or a front pants pocket. Wear a cross body purse.
Pay with checks or credit cards to reduce the amount of money you must carry.
When carrying packages, always keep one hand free.
After the holidays, break down all large boxes before placing them out for trash collection.
Holiday Scams
Here's a list of nine scams from the Maryland governor's office, the Better Business Bureau and law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for as you hit the malls or shop online.
Bogus Charities
Fake Shipping Notifications that can have attachments or links that will download malware to your computer
Electronic holiday cards with no senders name that can be used to steal your data
Some letters from Santa that ask for personal information
Temporary holiday jobs that ask for personal information on line
Unusual forms of payment using prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or third parties
Social Media gift exchange
Gift card scams
Have a Safe and Secure Holiday
Judy and Steve Gottsagen - Oakland Mills Safety and Security Committee
