The holiday season is a time for celebrations, but it is also sadly a time when thieves prey on unsuspecting victims.

Lt. Kelly Cox, crime prevention specialist and coordinator of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stoppers program, is offering a few safety tips to keep Christmas merry and bright for everyone.

“Our thoughts turn to buying, giving and receiving gifts, visiting friends and family and sharing delightful culinary experiences; however, there are others whose thoughts are occupied with unattended electronic- and appliance-filled houses or apartments, distracted shoppers with extra cash in a purse or wallet or the next ‘con job’ in the name of Christmas charity,” Cox warned.

According to Cox, statistics show that crime usually increases during and immediately after the holiday season. And the reason is very simple. Shoppers are distracted as they brave the crowds, becoming easy marks for thieves.

“The happy shopper is not thinking about the person in the store or parking lot that has followed you and knows exactly where you keep your cash, what gifts you have purchased or where you parked your car,” Cox pointed out. “Now is especially the time to be mindful of personal safety, online safety and to practice crime prevention measures.”

Cox advised that shoppers be aware of what’s going on around them at all times and to park in a well-lighted space when visiting stores. Close windows, lock the car and store any bags out of sight in the trunk. Whenever possible, carry a minimal amount of cash and pay with a check or credit car. If a credit card is stolen, cancel it immediately.

Ladies are advised to carry a purse that fits close to their body, and men should carry their wallets in a front pants pocket or inside a coat pocket. And always check receipts to make sure the complete credit card number does not appear on them; it if does, guard the receipts carefully.

Those traveling out of town to celebrate the holidays are smart to place an automatic timer on lights in their home, Cox said. And there are other tips to insure travelers don’t come home to a house that has been burglarized.

“Ask a neighbor to check up on your home,” Cox said. “Don’t forget to have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped. And you can sign up for email and text alert systems at your local police departments to stay in touch if you are away.”

If you are spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve at home, but may be going out for the evening, there are simple steps to follow that may help deter thieves.

“Turn on lights and music or the TV so it looks as if someone is home,” Cox said. “Be sure that your doors and windows are locked, and don’t display your gifts where they can be seen from the outside. If you plan to have packages delivered to your home, make sure you are home to accept them or ask a neighbor to accept them. You can also ask that the package be sent to the nearest post office.”

And believe it or not, something as simple as disposing of holiday trash can make a difference in whether or not thieves target your home. They are on the lookout for large boxes that contained new electronics, such as computers, sound systems and televisions.

“By putting boxes out by the road, you are essentially advertising what you received; you are giving them an inventory list,” Cox said. “Break the boxes down so they fit in a trash can or take them to the dump or waste disposal site.”