The holiday season is upon us, and during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays many families will be traveling to spend time with family and friends. St. Clair County Sheriff Scott Keeler would like to remind citizens to follow these tips to make the holiday season as safe as possible: 

At home:

- When leaving home for an extended time, take steps to make your home appear occupied.

-Stop newspaper delivery and have a neighbor pick up mail and check for packages. 

- Put indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer.

-Leave a radio or television on. 

-Lock all doors and windows.

-Call the sheriff’s office and request extra patrol checks for your residence, letting us know you will be out of town. 

-Do not post travel plans on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter letting people know you will be out of town. 

On the road: 

-Check your vehicle’s tires, lights, engine fluids, battery, and wipers prior to leaving.

-Make and emergency kit containing a blanket, flashlight, extra batteries, flares, snacks, and water.

-Don’t carry large sums of cash.

-Always have a charged cell phone with you. 

-Check the weather prior to leaving.

-Plan routes carefully. Let someone know the route being taken in case of a problem.

-In the case of a breakdown, turn on your flashers and open your hood to signify you    need assistance.

-Never drink and drive.

-Wear a seat belt.

-Never perform activities like texting that distract you attention while operating a motor vehicle.