This holiday season, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) are reminding residents of important tips to celebrate safely.

Prevent Vehicle Theft and Break-ins

Shoppers can use these simple tips to help prevent vehicle theft or break-ins of their vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and avoid using your cell phone when walking in parking lots.
Park in a well-lit area.
Remove all valuables from your vehicle or keep them hidden from plain view.
Lock your vehicle after exiting.

Safe Driving

Never drink and drive. Make plans to have a sober ride home, use public transportation or use a taxi or rideshare service.

Always be aware of current weather conditions. If icy roads are expected, the City will activate its ice plan to encourage safe driving. Follow the City of San Antonio on social media or subscribe to text updates by texting COSAGOV to 73224. The City will share weather response information through these channels.

Prevent Porch Thefts and Home Burglaries

If you are expecting package delivery, notify a family member or trusted neighbor in the event you are not home at the time of delivery
When disposing of boxes, cut them up so that would be burglars cannot see what items or gifts may have been recently purchased.
Do not set up Christmas trees or holiday gifts in areas where they are visible through windows or doors.
Avoid leaving doors, windows and garages open or unlocked and keep the exterior of your home well-lit.
If you see suspicious individuals in your neighborhood or on your street, report it to the San Antonio Police Department by calling 207-SAPD. If there is an immediate threat to life or property, please call 911.

Fire Prevention and Safety

The San Antonio Fire Department premiered a new public service announcement, which can be viewed here. The Department encourages residents to deck the halls responsibly. Electrical outlets are a leading cause of fire in the home. Prevent fires with the following tips.

If you celebrate with a Christmas tree, select a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
Before placing the tree in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk.
Keep your tree at least three feet away from any heat source and do not block exits.
Add water to your tree stand daily.
Follow instructions for using holiday lights. Indoor lights should only be used indoors.
Replace worn or broken strings of lights.
Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
Always turn off the tree’s lights before leaving your home or going to bed.

Cooking Safety and Fire Prevention

Don’t wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.
If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, never leave it unattended – stay in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the heat source.
Keep children and pets away from the cooking area. They should stay at least three feet away from the stove or other cooking surfaces.
Keep anything that can catch fire such as potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

Heater Safety

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment such as a portable space heater, fireplace, wood-burning stove or furnace. The three-foot safety zone includes furniture, drapes, electronics—anything that can burn.
Never use your oven to heat your home.
Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
Never plug a space heater into a power strip or multi-plug. They should be plugged directly into an outlet.

Other Safety Precautions

In recognition of the increased incidences of criminal activity during the holiday season, each year the San Antonio Police Department mobilizes the Holiday Crime Reduction Taskforce from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day which is comprised of multiple SAPD units as well as state law enforcement partners. The Taskforce works proactively with the business community, and other locations, that may be susceptible to increased criminal activity to implement strategies that minimize the risk of victimization. These efforts include data-driven initiatives to identify and apprehend criminals responsible for a significant amount of the crime being committed.

As always, the public is encouraged to contact the San Antonio Police Department to report suspicious or suspected criminal activity. The SAPD remains committed to protecting the community and ultimately it is the continued partnership between the Department and the community that will help ensure that San Antonio remains safe.

You can get more information about the San Antonio Police and San Antonio Fire Departments at the following links.

SAPD Website - SA.gov/SAPD

SAFD Website – SA.gov/SAFD

Jennie James