EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office released advice for residents for the holidays. GCSO said this is a good time for swindlers and thieves to take advantage of good people, this is the sheriff’s office advice to stop them. The City of Moses Lake Fire Department also released a statement regarding house fires this holiday season. The statement is broken into five different parts – at home, strangers at door, leaving for the holidays, house fires and after the holiday. 

Both encouraged taking the steps below to protect yourself, your families and your property.

At home 

First, GCSO recommends that all doors and windows have secondary locks such as window pins, deadbolts and dowels. The department also recommends people use them, or they don’t do any good. 

Secondly, do NOT hide spare keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats.

Thirdly, ensure that dark areas have lights and are lit up in the dark or activated by sensors. 

Fourth, keep foliage around doors and windows trimmed back so criminals cannot hide within them. 

Fifth, place gifts where they cannot be seen from the windows or from outside.  

Sixth, get safe deposit boxes for stamp and coin collections, valuable jewelry, and stock bonds.  

Seventh, mail anything with fiscal value with the blue U.S. postal service collection box or directly at the post office. 

Finally, lock all vehicles and remove valuables, even if the car is parked in the driveway. 

Strange visitors

First, take caution anytime there is an unknown person at the door. 

Secondly, be suspicious of unexpected sales calls or deliveries. Ask the person for identification. 

Thirdly, investigate scams and be aware of any potential scams during the holiday season.  

Fourth, investigate charities that are asking for funds and look into how the money will be used. 

Holiday travel

First, ask someone to watch the residence – a friend, family members, neighbor, or neighborhood watch member. 

Second, use timers for lights and radios to deter unwanted visitors. 

Third, make arrangements for mail and newspapers.  

Fire mindful

First, the MLFD says to check smoke alarms are in good order and have working batteries before cooking. 

Second, before cooking and baking, clean the stove and oven. 

Third, keep an eye on any food that is being made, and stay in the kitchen when cooking. 

Fourth, only use turkey fryers outside, far away from surfaces that could easily ignite. 

Fifth, only fry turkeys if they are fully thawed and dried.  

Post-holidays

First, do not advertise new gifts via the trash. Compress large boxes and place them in black garbage bags for pick-up. 

Second, add new items to home involuntarily and document the items’ value, make, model, serial number and any identifiable information. 

Third, engrave new items to help identify them in case they are stolen.