Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George RCMP has offered some seasonal safety tips to ensure a happy and crime free holiday season.

For starters Corporal Craig Douglass reminds shoppers to park in well lit places and to hide your purchases when picking up those last minute items.

“Don’t leave them in the front or back seats or anywhere they are visible. Put them in the trunk when you leave the store.”

He also advises you to leave purchases in the trunk if travelling to another location noting “some people may see you transfer your gifts to your trunk and break into your vehicle.”

Douglass says it may seem like common sense but notes people seem to get victimized every year.

“Certainly every year we do get a few vehicles that have been broken into or perhaps the door was left unlocked and valuables are taken whether it be personal valuables or gifts that were just purchased.”

He says another common way to get burned over the holidays is to leave unwrapped boxes outdoors.

“After Christmas when the boxes are open and you’ve bought a big screen TV don’t leave the box in the carport. Although its worthless it does advertise the fact you just got a big screen TV in your house.”

Douglass says thieves may take advantage of that advising it’s best “to take the recycling to the depot as quickly as possible.”

He even reminds residents to lock their doors when they head out warning “thieves are generally lazy and they’ll take full advantage.”

For more safety tips go to www.princegeorgercmp.ca.