Around this time of year, the holiday sales are at their prime while everyone is gearing up to buy presents, decorations, and other goods. Criminals count on the holidays to find easy targets for scams and theft. Here are a few things to look out for:   Keep an eye on your receipts and statements:  It’s a great reference to verify unknown charges on your accounts. Should something appear incorrect, contact your financial institution immediately.   Charity Scams: Do your research before donating to a charity, especially during the holiday season. If you’ve never heard of the organization, it is best to do a quick search online to be sure it is credible. This is often the time of year where we see a rise in charity scams.  If you’d like to give back this holiday season, contact the charity of your choice directly to find out how you can donate, or volunteer with their organization.   Protect Yourself Online:  When shopping online, try to shop ...

The holidays are a time to create memories with family and friends, however, you do not want your holiday season to be memorable for the wrong reasons. Household fires during the holiday season are more frequent, deadly, and costly than any other time of the year. To ensure a safe holiday season for all, keep these tips in mind: Cooking Holiday celebrations are not complete without a delicious feast; however, it is important you take precautions against cooking fires. Keep flammable items away from the stove, oven or other conductible appliances, and never leave a hot stove or oven unattended. Decorations Holiday decorations and string lights can be dangerous if not assembled or used properly. Be sure to inspect your string lights and throw out any with any cracked bulbs or frayed wires. For all electric decorations, be sure to not overload extension cords and turn off all lights and decorations before leaving your home or going to sleep. Also, consider purchasing decorations which ...

New Year’s Eve is a popular day for fireworks displays, as everyone enjoys blasting off into the new year. As fun as setting off your own fireworks display can be, it could easily become dangerous should safety precautions not be in place. Fireworks used incorrectly can lead to some serious injuries. In preparation for your upcoming New Year’s celebrations, Florida Peninsula would like to share the following fireworks safety tips: Obey your local laws. If fireworks are illegal where you live, do not use them. Designate a responsible adult to set off fireworks. Always place fireworks on a level non-flammable surface. Shoot fireworks off in an open area, away from spectators and flammable materials. Do not point or throw fireworks at another person. Adults should supervise young children around fireworks and sparklers. Avoid re-lighting or pick ...