Holiday Safety

Important Safety Tips

Safety is important all year-round. The following are some important seasonal safety tips for you and your family:

Graphic with 9PM Routine Steps: Take your keys. Lock your car. Lock your door.

9 PM Routine

Follow the 9PM Routine and take extra steps to secure your belongs. Before going to bed each night, take the following the steps:

  • Check your vehicle
  • Remove any valuables such as purses, driver's license or keys
  • Lock your car and home doors

At Home for the Holidays

  • Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when leaving your house or apartment, even for a few minutes
  • Don’t display holiday gifts where they can been seen from a window or doorway. Store gifts out of sight before departing on a holiday trip
  • When going out for the evening, turn on light and a radio or television in order for your home to appear occupied
  • When away from home for a longer period, use an automatic timer for your lights. They are under $10, available at most hardware and superstores, and very simple to set and use
  • When away from home, ask a neighbor or family member to keep an eye on your residence, pick up your mail and newspaper and park a car in your driveway from time to time
  • Don’t post details of your trip on Facebook or other social networking sites. Burglars use information from these sites!
  • Be cautious of strangers coming to the door requesting charitable donations. They may attempt to take advantage of people’s generosity during the holiday season. Ask for ID, how donated funds are used, if contributions are tax deductible, etc. If you are not satisfied with the answers, do not contribute. Instead, help the organizations that you are familiar with
  • Be sure that holiday lights and electrical connections are safe from curious children and pets
  • After the holidays, mark new gifts with an id number and/or record new serial numbers
  • Don’t advertise to thieves what you got for Christmas by leaving boxes from purchases (especially TVs, DVRs, computers, etc.) out at the curb or visible for trash pickup. Break the boxes down

Summer Safety 

Lieutenant Sean Magill of the JPD Traffic Division stated “During the summer, visitors and vacationers add to the usual amount of traffic we see on our everyday routes. The weekends are also busier than usual, with people traveling to area parks, beaches and shopping areas.” On the road:

  • Obey all posted speed limits and be courteous to other drivers.
  • Speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic can lead to collisions.
  • Keep on the lookout for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, which increase in the summer and can be difficult to see.
  • School’s out – slow down and pay attention when traveling in residential neighborhoods and near parks, schools and playgrounds.
  • Don’t drink and drive – ensure you have a designated driver.
  • Buckle up – proper use of seat belts and child car seats are the single most effective way to reduce crash-related injuries and fatalities.
  • Distracted driving causes crashes. Pay attention to your driving. If you find it necessary to talk on your cellular phone, pull off the road or into a parking lot.
  • Never leave a child or pet unattended in a car, even for a quick trip in and out of a store, it only takes a few minutes for your car to heat up and become deadly.

Halloween Safety

Jacksonville Police request the cooperation of citizens and parents by limiting the hours of Trick or Treating from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Halloween night. It is also requested that children older than 13 years old not participate in Trick or Treating. Safety tips:

  • Wear light-colored clothing - short enough to prevent tripping
  • Parents can add reflectors to costumes and clothing
  • Ensure that young children can see well through face masks
  • Accompany young children on Halloween activities
  • Go out in daylight and carry a flashlight in case of delay
  • Stay within the neighborhood and only visit homes you know
  • Watch carefully for traffic
  • Only give or accept wrapped or packaged candy
  • Examine candy before allowing children to enjoy them

Chief Mike Yaniero states “Motorists should be especially cautious on this night to prevent any injury to those participating in Trick or Treat.”

Winter Holiday Shopping Tips

  • Coordinate shopping trips with a friend
  • Shop before dark, if at all possible
  • Never park in an unlit lot or area, no matter how convenient it is!
  • Lock your packages and gifts in the trunk of your vehicle out of sight. Keep your doors locked and windows closed
  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
  • Pay for purchases with check, credit card or debit card, when possible
  • Don’t carry excess credit cards. Take only those cards for the stores where you shop
  • Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Don’t place your purse in the shopping cart. Carry a purse under your arm. Carry a wallet in an inside jacket pocket, not a back trouser pocket
  • Stay alert to your surroundings. Don’t allow your attention to become distracted from your purse or packages
  • Teach children to go to a store clerk or security guard to ask for help if you become separated in a store or shopping mall They should never go into the parking lot alone!
  • Don’t hesitate to notify store security if you see suspicious activity
  • Call 9-1-1 or 910-455-4000
  • If you are a victim of a crime, report it to the police immediately


Report Suspicious Activity on Base

Visit USMC Eagle Eyes or call the Eagle Eyes number at 910-451-3333.