It's important to be secure whenever you shop online. On Cyber Monday, cybercriminals may try to take extra advantage of online shoppers. Here are some tips to protect your information:

• Shop from trustworthy and established websites only.
• Make sure your information is encrypted. Look for URLs that begin with https:// and have a closed padlock icon next to them.
• Use a credit card when you shop online. There are laws that protect you if you find fraudulent credit card charges. You may not have the same level of protection for your debit cards.
• Check your statements and record of your purchases. Compare these to your bank statements.

For more tips on staying safe when you shop online, visit:

https://ww.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST07-001 .

Have you put up holiday decorations at home? It's important to be safe when you decorate with candles, lighted decorations, or Christmas trees. Use these tips to keep your home fire safe as you celebrate the holidays:

• Always turn holiday lights off before leaving home or going to bed.
• If you have a Christmas tree, water it daily. A dry tree can catch on fire easily. Keep it at least 3 feet away from heat sources.
• Keep candles 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Consider using flameless candles for all or part of Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa celebrations.

Learn more about holiday fire safety at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/holiday.html .

Looking for more tips for a safe holiday season? Follow @Citizen_Corps and @Prepareathon on social media for seasonal tips, and share your own with #HolidaySafety

Are you ready for winter? The best time to prepare for winter weather is before it arrives.

• Know if your area is at risk for winter storms. Follow the National Weather Service for weather forecasts. Your area may also have local weather alert systems.
• Start an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, warm clothes, bottled water, snacks, a spare cell phone charger, blankets, flares, and an ice scraper.
• Have supplies ready at home in case you lose power. Keep in mind your family's needs, such as medication. Don't forget about food and supplies for pets.
• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping.

For more winter weather tips, visit: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather or watch this video