09/30/2026
As the autumn season sets in, bringing shorter days, cooler weather, and early holiday preparations, the Osage Nation Police Department wants to remind all of our community members and followers to stay vigilant. By taking proactive steps, we can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, property damage, and seasonal crime.
Please take some time to review these safety tips.
1. Home Fire & Heating Safety
-Test Your Alarms: Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases during the fall as residents turn on home heating units.
-Schedule System Inspections: Ensure your furnace, fireplace, and chimney are professionally cleaned and inspected before their first seasonal use.
-Exercise Caution with Space Heaters: Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from flammable objects like curtains or furniture. Always turn them off when leaving a room.
-Extinguish Candles Completely: Blow out those autumn-scented candles before leaving the house or going to bed, and keep them completely out of reach of pets and children.
-Dispose of Yard Debris Safely: Avoid burning leaves on windy days. Check for seasonal burning bans, and never leave an outdoor burn pile unattended.
2. Property Security & Maintenance
-Lock Up Seasonal Gear: As you finish using lawnmowers, bicycles, and summer tools, secure them in a locked garage or shed. Do not leave valuables visible in your yard.
-Keep Windows and Doors Secured: Even when enjoying the cooler autumn breeze, remember to lock ground-floor windows and doors before leaving your house or going to sleep.
-Light Up the Dark: With sunset occurring much earlier, verify that your outdoor porch lights, motion sensors, and backyard security lights are functioning properly to deter nighttime property crime.
-Prevent Package Theft: Schedule deliveries for when you are home, utilize secure drop-boxes, or request delivery to a locked pickup hub, as porch thefts spike with the influx of early holiday shopping.
-Clear Walkways of Wet Leaves: Rake leaves off your sidewalks and driveway. Wet leaves create severe slip-and-fall hazards for mail carriers, delivery drivers, and pedestrians.
3. Roadway & Commuter Awareness
-Watch for Pedestrians and Children: Shorter days mean children playing outside or walking home from after-school activities may be less visible at dusk. Slow down significantly in residential zones and communities.
-Prepare for Wildlife Activity: Deer and other animals are highly active on roads during autumn, especially during dawn and dusk hours. Stay alert and scan the roadsides on local highways and rural roads.
-Beat the Glare: Keep sunglasses handy in your vehicle. The autumn sun sits much lower in the sky during peak morning and evening rush hours, causing dangerous driving glare.
-Maintain Your Vehicle: Swap out worn windshield wiper blades and top off your fluid with a formula that prevents freezing. Check tire pressure regularly, as dropping temperatures reduce traction on slick, leaf-covered roads.
4. Holiday Scams & Fraud Prevention
-Be Skeptical of "Delivery Failure" Texts: Scammers exploit the spike in holiday shipping by sending fake texts claiming a package cannot be delivered. Never click these links or provide credit card info to "redeliver" an item.
-Verify Holiday Charities: Fall and winter bring an influx of donation requests. Verify the legitimacy of any charity through trusted platforms like Charity Navigator before donating, and never pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
-Watch for Fake Online Marketplaces: Be cautious of social media ads offering high-demand holiday items at unrealistically low prices. Stick to secure websites (look for "https://") and use a credit card instead of a debit card for better fraud protection.
-Beware of Employment Scams: Seasonal job postings peak in the autumn. If a position offers high pay for minimal work, requires you to pay for equipment upfront, or sends a check to deposit before you start, it is a scam.
Report Suspicious Activity:
Our officers are out patrolling as always, but we rely on our community members to be our extra eyes and ears. If you see anything out of the ordinary or suspect a scam, please report it immediately.
For emergencies, always dial 911. For non-emergency assistance or to file a report, call dispatch at 918-287-3131.
