Top Safety Tips
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
DPS travel safety tips include preparing your vehicle before you leave by checking fluids and tires, and ensuring you have a spare tire and tools. During the trip, focus on safe driving by avoiding distractions like your phone, buckling up everyone in the car, driving sober, and slowing down, especially in bad weather or heavy traffic. For vehicle and personal safety, lock doors, be aware of your surroundings, and park in well-lit areas, especially at night.
Before you leave
- Vehicle preparation: Get your vehicle serviced, check fluids and tire pressure, and ensure your spare tire and tools are ready.
- Route and conditions: Plan your route and check weather and road conditions ahead of time.
- Secure your home: Prepare your home for when you are away.
- Essentials: Make sure you have all necessary travel documents organized.
On the road
- Drive defensively: Be prepared for extra challenges and slow down in bad weather, heavy traffic, and construction zones.
- Stay focused: Eliminate all distractions, including using a mobile device. If using navigation, have a passenger operate it.
- Buckle up: Ensure every person in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.
- Drive sober: Never drive if you have been drinking or have taken medications that cause drowsiness.
- Move over: Slow down or move over for emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and TxDOT vehicles stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.
- Avoid fatigue: Allow plenty of time for your trip to avoid driving while tired.
- Secure cargo: Make sure all cargo is properly secured.
Black Friday, focus on situational awareness and personal security by shopping with a friend, keeping valuables secure and out of sight, and parking in well-lit areas. When shopping online, use secure networks, verify websites, and monitor your accounts for fraudulent transactions.
In-person shopping
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- Shop with a buddy: Go with a friend or family member for added safety.
- Secure your belongings: Keep your purse zipped and close to your body, and put your wallet in a front pocket to deter pickpockets.
- Limit your cash: Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If you need to use an ATM, go during daylight hours in a well-lit location and shield the keypad.
- Park strategically: Choose well-lit, visible parking spots and have your keys ready when returning to your car.
- Keep valuables out of sight: Do not leave shopping bags or other valuables visible in your car.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Avoid distractions like your phone, and note where security guards are located.
- Don’t get into altercations: Never fight or argue over an item; there will be other sales later.
Online shopping
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Use a private, secure network or a VPN for online purchases to protect your data from hackers.
- Verify websites: Check that URLs start with “https://” and include a padlock icon. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they could be scams or on fake sites.
- Use secure payment methods: Consider using a credit card for its built-in protections, or a secure service like PayPal. Avoid using your debit card for online purchases if possible.
- Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
- Protect your information: Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts and use strong, unique passwords.
