As Halloween approaches, let's make safety our top concern so everyone can have a great time. Here are some key tips to help ensure a fun and secure celebration:
Costume safety: Opt for flame-resistant costumes that fit properly to avoid tripping and consider adding reflective tape for better visibility in the dark.
Pumpkin safety: Use battery-powered candles or LEDs for your jack-o'-lanterns to reduce fire risks.
Decorating safely: Keep decorations away from heat sources and make sure they don’t block exits.
Trick-or-treating guidelines: Stick to well-lit, familiar routes and always accompany children. Remind them never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
Candy check: Inspect all candy for signs of tampering before indulging.
Pet protection: Keep pets safely indoors, away from the excitement at the door.
By keeping these precautions in mind, we can ensure a safe and festive Halloween. Let’s work together to protect our community and enjoy the holiday!
National Preparedness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Stay Safe Online October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time designated by Ready.gov to highlight the importance of protecting ourselves from cyber threats. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms for communication, shopping, banking, and more, it's crucial to stay vigilant and informed about cybersecurity. Salt Lake City Emergency Management aims to help our community understand the risks and adopt best practices to safeguard personal information and ensure a secure online environment. To keep yourself safe online, start by taking these tips into consideration:
Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
Regularly update your software and systems to protect against vulnerabilities.
Be cautious about the information you share online, especially on social media. Do not give personal information out on platforms.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
Back up important data to a secure location.
Ensure your home Wi-Fi network is encrypted, and password protected.
There have been reports of scams targeting individuals, including phishing emails, fraudulent tech support calls, fraudulent police department calls, and fake online shopping websites, to name a few. Be wary of unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information and verify the sender's legitimacy before responding. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be tech support, or another official, hang up and contact the company/department directly using an official phone number. When shopping online, use reputable websites and check for secure payment options and be sure not to save your credit card information to your laptop. Be sure to report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately. To find more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month, you can visit https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month.
