FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12-11-2018
Contact: Rosio Torres, 713-426-9542
Harris County Urges Preparedness During Holiday Season
(Houston, Texas) – Whether you are traveling or staying home for the holidays, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) urges residents to take some basic precautions to ensure their safety throughout the season.
If Traveling
- Find out if your neighborhood has a security/patrol service that will keep an eye on your home while you are away or sign up with one of the following:
- Harris County Sherriff’s Office Vacation Watch Program for residents in unincorporated areas of Harris County.
- Houston Police Department Alert Slip for residents in the city of Houston.
- Ask a neighbor or family member to pick up your newspapers and mail.
- Before leaving, put your lights on an automatic timer and activate your security system.
- If you are traveling by car, make sure your vehicle is working properly, has sufficient gas and an emergency kit.
- Always monitor the forecast.
At Home
- Inspect electrical decorations for damage before use. Replace any lights with frayed wires, broken sockets, and loose connections.
- Do not overload electrical outlets.
- If not on an automatic timer, turn off all lights prior to going to sleep or leaving home.
- Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through windows and doors of your home.
- Mount Christmas tree on a sturdy base to keep it from falling.
- Keep live trees away from heat sources and water them often. Live trees are highly flammable.
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Be sure your home is equipped with a working carbon monoxide detector, smoke alarm and fire extinguisher.
- Keep poisonous plants, like poinsettias, out of reach of children and pets.
When Shopping - Never leave your car with the motor running or with children or pets inside.
- Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your vehicle because this creates a temptation for thieves; put your things in the trunk or out of sight.
- Stay alert to your surroundings and avoid overloading yourself with packages.
- Make sure you locate your keys prior to going to your car and always park in well-lit areas.
- Once in your car, lock the doors.
- Ensure children know their full name, address, and at least one telephone number to give police officers or mall security if they get lost.
Finally, if you are attending a holiday celebration, do not drink and drive. Go with a designated driver or arrange for transportation if you plan to consume alcoholic beverages. Law enforcement officials remind vehicle operators that driving under the influence is a serious offense and carries harsh penalties from jail time to heavy fines. Do not risk your life and the lives of others!
HCOHSEM wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Resolve to be ready in 2019, download the ReadyHarris app and sign up to receive Ready Harris Alerts at www.readyharris.org/Sign-Up.
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MESSAGE ID# 8101205968579933