Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

With the 2010 Holiday season rapidly approaching us, comes Black Friday and the much anticipated holiday shopping season.Changes are constantly occurring in electronic technology producing faster computers, smarter cell phones, and better cars. However, along with these improvements come new methods from the criminal element to steal our identities, our hard earned money and our holiday gifts that we all have worked so hard for. We all can make this it a lot more difficult for the common thief’s by following a few easy precautions; we have provided you with a list for some of these for your consideration for this upcoming season.

The Physical Security Section folks for the Georgia National Guard Provost Marshal Office would like to take this opportunity to share some very important security precautions with our Georgia National Guard Families.

Black Friday-Holiday Shopping-


Before going out on that much anticipated day clean out that cluttered trunk or back of your van allowing room for all of your packages that you plan to purchase. Avoid leaving packages out in plain view, such as on front seat etc.

CLEAN THE GARAGE and use it to park your vehicle in, it’s much safer to get in and out of and besides it will warm up faster on those cold mornings.

SHOP WITH A FRIEND this is a great opportunity to catch up on the latest with a close friend and have lunch, try to never shop alone. However if you do wind up shopping alone and you get ready to leave the mall/store and you feel uncomfortable going to your vehicle alone especially when it’s dark or late, request mall/store security for a escort, that's what they are for.

Try OBTAINING CREDIT CARDS WITH YOUR PHOTO ON THEM, avoid using debit cards and your pin in crowded stores; most debit cards can be used as credit cards, use that option. Change pin codes at least semi annually.

If your SSN or drivers license number are on your checks HAVE THEM REMOVED, you can always write them in as you need to, besides all you need is your driver's license number avoid giving your SSN to anyone.

DON’T CARRY LARGE AMMOUNTS OF CASH-even if you don't have a debit or credit card you can buy a loadable debit/credit card, the minimum cost is worth it, if you lose it you can get it replaced almost instantly

DON’T CARRY LARGE HANDBAGS, purses etc, consider hip bags-harder to steal, men button your pocket carrying your wallet making harder for pick pockets.

ATM usage-AVOID USING MALL ATM’S AND WALK-UP KIOSKS where there a lot of people around. Thief’s use cell phone cameras and recorders to record you entering your pin for your card, than attempt to steal your purse and or wallet later on.

PARK IN A WELL LIT AREA and whatever you do never lock/unlock your vehicle using your remote door lock, use the actual key. Thief's now have electronic devices that can pick up the code for your car lock. If you open your trunk/vehicle with the remote the thief has your code and when you go back in the mall or other store he can access your vehicle and steal your purchases.

REMOVE AND SECURE PERSONAL ITEMS FROM YOUR VEHICLE -remove items such as gifts, electronics, GPS, XM radio from your vehicle or secure them before going into the mall/store. 
SAVE LARGE PURCHASES FOR LAST If you plan on making a purchase of a large item like a TV, save that for your very last purchase of the day, you don't want to buy that item first and leave it in your vehicle the rest of the day while you continue shopping.

After going home secure your packages in a secure location. Remember to lock the door behind you every time no matter how many trips it takes to unload your vehicle.

INTERNET SHOPPING TIPS

Here are a few tips on internet shopping, first make sure your computer is safe and secure, is your spyware up to date?

We have listed some advice from a company that offers online safe shopping options.

-- GO WITH YOUR GUT. If a price seems too good to be true, be wary. Always check to see if a website or company is reputable. When a website seems unsafe, it might be a good idea to think twice about using it. Check around to see if there's a more secure site selling the same product.

-- MAKE SAFE TRANSACTIONS. When making payments on a website, check to see if its connections are secure. Secure websites will display some sort of security icon, such as a locked padlock or key, and should also have an "s" after "http" in the website address.

--SAVE ALL RECEIPTS. It's smart to save or print out copies of confirmation e-mails, terms and conditions, and warranty information. Be sure to read and understand the company's privacy policy before buying as well. If a site doesn't have a privacy policy posted, consider shopping elsewhere.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

If you receive a suspicious package in the mail or otherwise don’t open it and report it to the local authorities immediately.

--Buy a lockable mailbox.

--Buy a good shredder and shred all of your disregarded mail such as billing information, credit card bills, and utility bills etc.

By putting these simple practices to use you can enjoy a secure and safe Holiday Shopping season and in closing….REMEMBER WHERE YOU PARKED YOUR VEHICLE.

Our Military Kids

Dear National Guard Family Member,


Our Military Kids http://www.ourmilitarykids.org/  wants to help
your family through the deployment of your loved one. If you have a child or
children between the ages 3 to 18, and your spouse is currently deployed
overseas with the National Guard or Reserves, your child is eligible for a
grant. The grants, which can be up to $500, will pay for up to six months of
an extracurricular activity at a location of your choice in your geographic
area.

The grant application process is simple. Visit our website at
http://www.ourmilitarykids.org/ and select the appropriate one-page application
http://www.ourmilitarykids.org/how-to-apply/  Onceyou download and
complete one application per child, send it to us via fax or
regular mail, along with a copy of three supporting documents:

1) A copy of the Title 10 deployment orders;
2) A form of ID for your child - we accept a Military ID, birth
certificate(if Service Member is shown as a parent), or 1172 Deers form
(printout showing dependents from DEERS website is acceptable);
3) Attach a flyer, brochure, registration form or website printout showing
contact information and program costs (be sure to include documentation
showing monthly or weekly fees, equipment fees, registration fees, etc.

Once we receive your application and documents, a check is sent within ten
days directly to the service provider of the activity. We will match the cost
of six months fees plus registration fees, equipment fees, etc. An exciting
notification packet will be sent to each child informing them that the
grant was approved.

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page
http://www.ourmilitarykids.org/how-to-apply/faqs.php .
If you don't see an answer to your question, call our office at (703) 734-6654.
Keep in mind - we can only provide grants to children with a parent who is
currently deployed - if your service member has yet to deploy, you may apply
for a grant no earlier than 30 days prior to the report date on the title 10 Mob
orders.

The most difficult part of this process is deciding which type of activity
you would like your children to participate!

We look forward to awarding grants to your children.

-The Our Military Kids Staff

September is National Preparedness Month...Are You Ready?

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

Get A Kit

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

 

• Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:  
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation  
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers
• Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

 

Families with Special Needs Survey

The National Guard Bureau (NGB) Seeks Feedback on Families with Special Needs

NGB is actively working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and all Parent Service Organizations (Army, AF, Navy, and Marines) to add additional support services for Families with Special Needs (Exceptional Family Member Program-EFMP). NGB needs your feedback to determine the scope of the needs and the most important issues impacting these families. Your survey feedback will directly affect proper allocation of resources to support our Families with Special Needs. All Soldiers, Airmen, Family members of service members, and ARNG/ANG Family Program staff are encouraged to participate. The Guard Family Special Needs Survey assessment WILL ONLY TAKE APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES OR LESS, and will be available until 31 Aug. To complete the survey, please click on the following link to the Joint Services Support (JSS) webpage: . Thank you!

Please Login to https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Survey/SurveyList.aspx to take the survey.

Welcome message from the Chief!

On behalf of MG Terry Nesbitt, The Adjutant General of Georgia, I would like to welcome you to The Georgia National Guard Family Program Website. It is our goal to provide you an easy to navigate and responsive experience. We will further provide you with timely, pertinent and revel ant information to effectively serve your needs. If you have suggestions for improvements please contact us utilizing the Contact the Director tab on the main page; “We are listening”.

In your service I remain,

Darrell Partee