As we are now in the Holiday Season, most of us will be traveling or have family traveling to our homes. I would like to take this opportunity to give some helpful travel hints and make your home a little safer.

Now that the weather is changing and we begin our holiday travels, make sure that you take a few extra steps to get where you're going safely.

As far as your vehicle goes:

* Make sure that your vehicle has tires that are properly inflated and have a good amount of tread on them. Keep in mind the tires are the only thing in contact with the road and, as the Michelin Man would say, there is a lot riding on your tires-especially with your family in the car,

* Make sure that you have plenty of windshield washer fluid to keep the vehicle's windshield clean. A windshield is what's giving you the big picture so that you can see where you are going, and

* Make sure to never follow to close to the vehicle in front of you. You never know what might happen if they have to stop suddenly.

While traveling anywhere, it is always a good idea to have some type of emergency roadside kit. Most of the kits contain flares or reflective triangles or something to act as a warning to other travelers that you are broke down.

In case you are stranded for whatever reason, also make sure that you take along a blanket to keep warm, a sign that can be put in the back window that says "Call for help" or "Call the police" since cell phones do not always have a working signal in all places.

There are several places around town to get these kits, such as Wal-Mart, Sam's Hardware, NAPA and several other automotive supply stores.

Note: The Sheriff's Department cannot endorse nor will endorse any emergency kit from any business. These are just a few places that I learned carry them as I was checking for the purpose of this blog.

However, our local NAPA store is offering a special on these kits and a coupon can be picked up at the Sheriff's Department while supplies last.

If you are being away from home this Thanksgiving, here are a few tips for making your home safer while you are away:

* Place interior lights on a timer that will allow them to turn on and off at different times.

* Have the newspaper and mail held while you're gone, or have a friend pick it up and check on your house.

* Make sure all windows and doors are locked.

* If you have an alarm system, notify the alarm company about your plans and make sure they have a contact number of someone locally that can show up with police to check on it in case of emergency, and

* If you're going out of town and wish to let the sheriff's department know, we can put you on a list for extra patrols in your area. We would ask that you leave us some contact information so we could get in touch with you in case of an emergency.

These are just a few ways to make your Holiday Season is a safe and happy one, and implementing them only take a few extra minutes to do so.

And, just as a reminder, Operation Pull Over is currently being enforced around the state. So please remember, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE and BUCKLE UP for safety.

For now, be safe,

Michael W. Heaton

Sheriff of Clay County

611 E. Jackson St.

Brazil, IN 47834

812-446-2535 Ex: 5