12 tips on how to stay safe over the festive season

Gardaí have issued a series of tips to advise people on how to protect themselves and their property over the Christmas period.

Many of the tips are based around keeping safe on a night out and ensuring people take the necessary precautions when drinking alcohol over Christmas.

Sgt Kelvin Courtney, of Garda Community Relations, said the advice would ensure people can have an enjoyable Christmas.

“It should be a time of year for everyone to enjoy. Our aim is to help people have a safe and peaceful Christmas, and not have to spend the festive period dealing with difficult and possibly traumatic situations for themselves or their families.

“The crime prevention tips are simple steps people can take to increase their safety whether they are out and about or in their homes,” he said.

The Twelve Safety Tips of Christmas are:

1. Drink alcohol responsibly. Wherever the celebration — everyone should promote safe behaviour.

2. Plan your night out, tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

3. You, your family or friends should never walk home alone. Remember, safety in numbers. If you have no other option, walk in well-lit areas.

4. Take care when carrying your handbag, smart- phone or tablet in crowded areas. Keep them in a safe location, within view.

5. Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas. Keep handbags zipped and don’t put your wallet in your back pocket. In bars and restaurants take care about where you store coats and handbags.

6. At ATMs only take out as much money as you need. Cover your pin number and call the gardaí if you believe the machine has been compromised.

7. Take care of your Christmas shopping and never leave it unattended, especially in your car.

8. Park and lock your car in secure, well-lit areas keeping valuables, including bags and coats, hidden.

9. Secure all doors and windows of your home and use your alarm when the house is vacant and when home at night.

10. Don’t leave Christmas presents in view from the outside of your home.

11. If you are expecting deliveries, always make sure someone is there to collect it or arrange for a trusted neighbour to take it in.

12. If you’re going away for Christmas, make your home look occupied, leave a light on and get a trusted neighbour to check on your property.

Our 12 Safety Tips for Christmas. We're sure even those of you up in Dublin shopping can spare a second to RT! pic.twitter.com/GhHaYfHPQi

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) December 8, 2014

The advice comes one day into the Garda Open City traffic management plan for the capital which kicked in yesterday — the traditional shopping day for country people to visit the capital for their Christmas shopping.

The plan aims to help people get about their business and enjoy the seasonal festivities, by facilitating the movement of public transport in Dublin and minimising traffic disruption.

This will be done through the use of highly visible garda traffic patrols on the city’s arterial routes, car parks and main shopping areas during peak commuting and shopping times and at key venues and arenas for major concerts and events .