TIFTON — The holiday season is time for increased criminal activity, both in neighborhoods and around shopping centers. 

The Tifton Police Department would like for everyone to follow these tips and remind family members and friends to be more careful and aware during the holiday season.

Theft Prevention around the home:

• Trim bushes around windows; this eliminates thieves and prowlers from using them as cover.

• Be extra cautious about locking doors, windows and garage doors even when you’re at home.

• If possible, check on your house at lunch or have someone watch it for you while you are at work.

• If there is a knock at your door and you do not feel comfortable answering, turn on a light, slam a door or make noise to let them know someone is at home.

• Activate your alarm if you have one, and if you are traveling, make arrangements with someone to keep an eye on your house for you.

• Don’t put large displays of holiday gifts in view of your windows or doors.

• Stay alert to your surroundings.

• Record the serial numbers of your valuables and take photographs of them. Do the same thing with Christmas presents prior to wrapping them. Put your driver’s license in the picture to mark them as yours.

• Break down boxes of expensive gifts and place them in bags when you throw them away. This keeps from advertising what you have in your home to people looking for things to steal.

• Watch out for your friends and neighbors. Promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities. If someone has a valid reason for being in your neighborhood or approaching people in a parking lot, they will not mind explaining that to a police officer.

Shopping Safety:

• When arriving in the store parking lot, look around for people acting suspicious,sitting in cars or walking aimlessly around the parking lot.

• Shop with friends or relatives if possible and keep a close eye on your children while shopping.

• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps. Rather than juggling multiple bags, try to move your purchases into just a few bags.

• Carry your keys in your hand and be ready to unlock the door and enter your vehicle or home as quickly as possible.

• Be aware of what is going on around you. Make eye contact with people you meet or strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

• Park in well-lighted areas, as close as possible to store entrances.

• If you have to wait for a ride, wait in a busy, well-lit place.

• Keep your car doors locked. When shopping, keep gifts and items in the trunk of the car out of sight.

• Use a credit card to avoid theft of cash. Shopping with a single credit card is preferable because it’s easier to cancel one, rather than several, if your wallet or purse is stolen.

• If you have access to a cell phone, carry it with you. Remember that 911 works on a cell phone, even those that are not activated.

• Avoid talking on a cell phone when walking to and from your vehicle to keep from being distracted by the conversation.

• Don’t hesitate to notify law enforcement or store security if you see any suspicious activity.