Community Corner

Holiday Safety Tips: Document Serial Numbers of Your Valuables

'As busy as we all are, it can be a pain to take the time to document things the way we really should.'

by Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross

For many of us, all of the planning, preparation, shopping, decorating, travel and stress has led up to these next few days and now we can let out a sigh of relief that everything has been handled and we can relax and enjoy ourselves. So of course it’s time for me to give you a few last minute things to worry about. I can honestly say that I never thought about things like recording serial numbers before I became a police officer. 

As busy as we all are, it can be a pain to take the time to document things the way we really should. However, once you get the base list started, it is easy to add to it as you obtain new items. It can help police locate something that is lost or stolen and makes things easier on you if an insurance claim needs to be filed. So here are a few more tips for added holiday peace of mind. Happy Holidays and remember to make safety a habit and not a headache!

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  1. Record the serial numbers of anything you own that has them.  Best practice is to record the brand, model number and serial number by keeping the packaging, snapping a photo of the information on the packaging or item itself or handwriting the information in a notebook. *Don’t let the only copy of your list be on a computer that may be stolen! This can be a great project for older kids if you make it a scavenger hunt.
  2. Engrave your name, initials or some type of identifying information on property that does not have serial numbers such as tools, lawn care items and sports equipment.  These types of items are stolen and sold to pawn shops and consignment/secondhand stores.
  3. Download “locate applications” to new smart phones, computers and any electronic items that offer the feature as soon as possible.
  4. Break down the boxes for your new big ticket items and take them to a recycling location rather than setting them out at the curb.  Would-be thieves have been known to drive around “shopping” the holiday trash to see what your home has to offer.
  5. Review and use all of the same safety precautions during the post-Christmas shopping rush that you have used over the last few weeks.  The holiday shopping season is not yet over and while this series of safety tips has been for the holidays, they are good year around. 


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