As we close out 2020 and optimistically look forward to 2021, the Naperville Police Department would like to keep residents focused on safety by providing daily tips during our Safer Naper “24 Days of Safety” campaign. Each day, residents will discover new seasonal tips ranging from winter driving to holiday shopping safety. Here’s a sneak peek at what you might find.
With COVID-19-related scams on the rise, some of the campaign’s tips will focus on the different ways scammers are trying to take advantage of the pandemic, such as pretending to be contact tracers from the county health department. While legitimate contact tracers might call you if you have been exposed to COVID-19, a real contact tracer will not ask you for money, your bank account information, your immigration status, credit card information or your social security number.
Online shopping is expected to reach record levels this holiday season, so part of the campaign will focus on keeping your identity and credit card information safe. Some of the tips will teach you about shopping with reputable retailers, being wary of “too good to be true” deals, guarding your personal information, verifying secure sites before purchasing anything and not paying with a debit card.
Once you make your purchase, we’ll help teach you how to keep your deliveries safe, too! Remember to schedule packages to arrive when you are home and sign up for delivery alerts to avoid a potential package theft from your doorstep. You can also leave delivery instructions requesting a less conspicuous area where you would like packages to be placed, such as by a side door or behind a gate.
Some other daily tips will focus around winter driving. Snow and ice mean driving through some challenging situations. Remember, only go out if it is necessary and give snow plow drivers time do their jobs. If you do have to go out, reduce your speed, remove snow and ice from your vehicle and don’t forget to have a full tank of gas.
For more holiday-related safety tips, follow our 24 Days of Safety campaign this December online (www.naperville.il.us/asafernaper), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/napervillepd) or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/napervillepd).
Until next month… Be Aware and Be Safe.
