Sheriff's Office Shares Travel Safety Tips

School's out and the summer travel season is upon us, but that doesn't mean safety should take a back seat.

With that in mind, the Harford County Sheriff's Office's community policing unit is sharing travel safety tips to keep Harford County residents safe when at home or on vacation.

Here's what the sheriff's office recomends:

• Clean out your wallet or purse. Only take essential credit cards. Use traveler's checks when possible. Leave your social security card at home.
• Have neighbors or friends pick up your mail and deliveries. Make arrangements to have the lawn mowed and trash cans brought in after being emptied.
• Be aware of your surroundings and those around you. Seek help if you feel threatened or uncomfortable.
• Confirm all reservations before leaving home.
• Use timers on your lights to give your home that "lived in" appearance.
• Double check that all doors and windows are locked before you leave.
• Show your children what a park employee in uniform looks like, so if they become lost they can seek them out for assistance. 
• Dress small children in bright colored, distinctive clothes that are easily   described should they become lost. Have a current photograph of your child with you.
• Look at the ride and operator before your children get on. If something doesn't look right keep your children off the ride and pass your information on to a park supervisor.
• If your family decides not to stay together, set up meeting places and times within the park to keep track of each other.
• Plan for the weather.  Many injuries occur as the result of poor planning or a failure to prepare for outside weather conditions.

What are your travel safety tips? Tell us in the comments.