Police are urging people to use extra caution in upcoming weeks with the Christmas shopping season rapidly approaching.

Gardendale and Fultondale have both seen an increase in vehicle break-ins and thefts recently, and the holiday season always causes a spike in such crimes.

Lt. Marty Brown with the Gardendale Police Department said the best thing people can do is to simply slow down and use common sense.

“The biggest thing people need to do is lock their doors,” he said. Officers have responded to reports of open doors at houses, to find that the owners simply were in a hurry and forgot to close and lock the doors.

He added that most car break-ins are in vehicles with unlocked doors; some have the keys in the ignition to make it even easier for thieves.

Gardendale Police Sgt. Scott Banks added that shoppers should never leave packages or other valuables in sight. He added that women should not leave their purses in carts while shopping.

Brown recommends a technique used by the military, what he calls “buddy shopping.”

“In the military you do everything in pairs,” he said. “There’s strength in numbers. Go shopping with other people so you can look out for each other.”

Starting today and going through Dec. 30, Gardendale will have a “holiday car” patrolling all shopping areas. Brown said the sole purpose of the patrol is to keep an eye on shoppers. He said the Gardendale Police Department has also limited vacation time for officers so the department will not be short staffed during the shopping season.

In Fultondale, Mayor Jim Lowery has also said the city will increase patrols in the Promenade Shopping Center as well as other shopping areas.

Other recommendations made by police to stay safe this holiday season include:

• don’t be distracted

• be observant of your surroundings

• leave radios or televisions on at night. Put them on a timer if taking a trip

• have neighbors keep an eye out if you take a trip