Busiest holiday season is approaching; criminal activities surrounding it also approaches

The holiday season is here, and in two weeks the celebrations will hit their peak.  It also means that criminals of all varieties are trying to take advantage of these situations at homes and businesses.

Hall County Sheriff's Office wants residents to be prepared for anything that criminals will try to do in "Grinch-like" fashion.  A post on their social media page provides a full list of tips to keep your surroundings secure.  They include:

• Keep the doors to your home and vehicles locked--even if you are at home.  Doors should be locked to keep unwanted visitors outside.
• Beware of solicitors.  Residents are not at any obligation to open doors to anyone you do not know.  Make sure children talk to you first, before allowing anyone to come inside your home.
• Find a safe place for package delivery drop-off, besides the front porch.  If you're expecting may deliveries this season, you might want to invest ina secure drop box at home.
• Keep wrapped packages out of view.  Packages piled high by a tree can appear festive, but is also an invitation for burglars to try and invade the location.
• If planning to travel for the holidays, keep those plans (destinations, dates, etc) away from your social media platforms!  It lets criminals know when your location will be vacant from any residential activity.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office is offering vacation home checks, if you are planning a trip away from home that lasts two nights or longer.  You can fill out a form requesting a home check by going online to: https://www.hallcounty.org/179/Vacation-Home-Checks

Other area residents should check with their local law enforcement agencies for more tips on keeping properties and vehicles safe throughout the holiday season.