Blogs

Gaining Peace of Mind with Holiday Safety Tips

It seems the holiday season starts earlier each year. This fall, our Halloween candy was hardly finished before Christmas lights appeared. Amid the ever-expanding holiday hustle, it’s a good idea to review some safety tips to ensure peace of mind all winter long.

At Home

These busy months are filled with family gatherings, shopping sprees, gift exchanges — and plenty of travel. Whether your journeys take you across town or across the country, here are some tips for keeping your home safe:

  • Lock all doors and windows before leaving home. It’s obvious, but it’s easy to overlook this no-brainer. Here’s a hack for those who wonder “Did I lock the doors?” Before setting out, take photos of each locked door. You’ll rest easy during your travels, certain you didn’t forget.
  • Consider installing a smart camera system as a deterrent against crime. Home security cameras like Ring and Nest have never been cheaper or easier to use. If you already own a camera setup, double-check that it’s working properly.
  • Travelling far? Tell a neighbor you trust that you’ll be out of town. Ask them to keep an eye on things, collect your mail, and maybe even park a car in your driveway. The appearance of activity will deter crime.
  • Wait to post travel photos and details on social media until you return. Even if your profile is private, word can spread in unpredictable ways. To a crook, your trip is an invitation to break in.

At The Stores

Are you a Black Friday shopper? More of a “last-minute scramble” type? (Guilty.) Either way, holiday shopping presents ample opportunity for pick-pocketers and burglars. You can take some steps to give yourself peace of mind:

  • It’s always better together. A shopping buddy can be helpful in spotting danger and deterring criminals.
  • Store hopping? Be sure to keep all items—especially high-value ones—in your trunk so you don’t attract thieves or break-ins.
  • Park strategically. Leave your car near the storefront, or in a well-lit area, if you’re shopping at night. You want to avoid walking through long parking lots or garages while burdened down by bags.
  • Ask a security guard or police officer for an escort if you feel unsafe at any time.

Online

Cybercrime is all over the news. Don’t let a digital thug ruin your family’s holiday. It’s as easy as ever to protect yourself online with these simple steps:

  • In stores, pay with cash as often as possible. Recent data breaches have exposed sensitive information about millions of consumers. Paying cash keeps your card details private, limiting your risk of hacks or identity theft.
  • When you shop online, be sure the web address starts with “https.” That extra “s” stands for secure, and it proves the website encrypts the sensitive data like your payment info. If there’s no “s,” there’s a chance your data could be at risk. Be especially careful if shopping on a public network, like at a coffee shop or in an airport.
  • Don’t reuse passwords. These days, practically every site requires a new account. It’s tempting to recycle the same trusty password for each login. But if any one of these sites gets hacked (a fair bet), your security is compromised everywhere. Use a password manager to make this easy — we like LastPass here at Signal 88 HQ, but plenty of great options are out there. So long, qwerty123.

At the Office

The holiday season creates new challenges at the workplace, too. No matter your line of work, follow a few strategies to

  • Provide peace of mind with security officers. Security companies like Signal offer mobile patrols or dedicated officers to deter crime and offer peace of mind all season long. Each locally-owned franchise tailors service to clients’ unique needs.
  • Advise your security team and local law enforcement of special events and holiday rushes that you’re expecting. Communication is key to great security.
  • Empower your team with the knowledge that they have a crucial role in keeping the area safe. Ensure your staff is familiar with suspicious activity indicators and knows how to respond. Encourage staff and employees to trust their instincts, and to follow safety procedures before, during, and after business hours.
  • Check that all security devices are functional, including cameras, radios, and shoplifting detectors.

Interested in more safety tips? Check out our blog for other tips and tricks.

Passion Award: Stephen Hayes
Signal of El Paso, TX & Signal of Greater Albuquerque, NM  


At Signal, we drive with passion in everything we do because passion connects people to purpose. 

Stephen Hayes exemplifies this every day. A positive and giving leader, Stephen is a role model to others in the network. He stays closely connected to the Home Office, ensuring he is personally executing operational details with excellence and accuracy. 

Beyond his own market, Stephen is always willing to lend advice and support anyone in the network who needs it, while maintaining strong results in his markets. His dedication, energy, and consistent positive attitude make him a powerful example of what it means to lead with passion. 

Honesty & Integrity Award: Jonas Palmer
Signal of Northwest Tennessee & Signal of Jackson, MS 

We live in honesty and integrity because without it, our company and our brand are hollow. 

Jonas Palmer has taken on some of our most challenging markets and turned them around in a remarkably short time. He leads from the front, never asking his team to do anything he isn’t willing to do himself. 

When feedback comes from the Home Office, whether operational or financial, Jonas responds with transparency and immediate follow-through. His professionalism, accountability, and respect in every interaction set a high standard for reliability and trust. 

Relationships Award: Mike Kosmet
Signal of Michigan 

We build relationships because healthy success can only be created with mutual respect for others. 

Mike Kosmet has demonstrated consistent success for more than a decade. He understands that collaboration fuels progress, as shown in his partnership with our Milwaukee office, which helped drive a significant market turnaround. 

Personable, responsive, and easy to work with, Mike prioritizes communication and follow-through. His ability to engage his team and work alongside peers has contributed to doubling the size of his business this year. He proves that strong relationships are a competitive advantage. 

Serving Award: Shane Wimer
Signal of Nebraska 

We serve our communities without hesitation because serving is the active ingredient in service. 

Shane Wimer led the development of Code Enforcement as a new service offering, generously sharing his entire process with the Home Office and fellow franchisees. His collaboration helped create sales and training materials that are driving growth across the network. 

He knows his officers by name and genuinely cares about their success, which is reflected in his team’s outstanding retention rates. Shane’s ability to balance strong financial performance with a people-first mindset makes his franchise a model for serving both community and team. 

Learning Award: Dan Liotta
Signal of Central and Northern Virginia  

We learn something every day by holding an open-minded approach to everything we do. 

Since joining Signal in 2023, Dan Liotta has made a significant impact. As a strategic and thoughtful leader, he delivers strong results and exceptional customer service by staying focused on sustainable growth. 

Dan is constantly seeking ways to improve his operations and bring more value to his market. His visionary mindset and commitment to continuous improvement remind us that growth begins with a willingness to learn.

Core Champion Award: Haris Johnson
Signal of Washington, D.C. 

While each award represents a specific value, the Core Champion brings them all together. 

Haris Johnson represents the full Signal mission in every aspect of his business. He makes a lasting impression in every interaction, from how he supports his officers to the passion he brings to serving clients. 

He is always exploring new ideas to improve his franchise and shows genuine appreciation for others across the network. His commitment to his team, his clients, and the future of Signal makes him a true Core Champion. 

Congratulations! 

These winners represent what makes Signal different. Our Core Values – Passion, Honesty & Integrity, Relationships, Serving, and Learning – are the foundation of how we operate and how we grow.  

To our 2025 Core Award winners: thank you for leading by example and for showing what it truly means to live the Signal mission.

More Articles

Celebrating Our Convention Core Award Winners

Celebrating Our Convention Core Award Winners

March 04, 26 |

At Signal, our Core Values are more than just words – they shape our culture and define how we provide peace of mind to the communities we serve. They are action statements rooted in a fundamental code of conduct that help us meet challenges, make decisions, and lead...