(WENY) -- The holiday season has arrived and while it important to enjoy your time with friends and loved ones its also important to make sure we are staying safe.

"In addition to all the stress and getting things together for the holidays and trying to get gifts and afford all these things you have to remember that criminals are out in force more than ever especially this year its not the same as its been in times past with the economy the way it is." says Susan Cho director of intelligence for Hyperion services. 

You should be cautious about what you wear when going out to shop

"People need to be much more cautious about what their flaunting when they go out, more cautious about what you're wearing what kind of things look like their high value because you are going to be a target identified by somebody who is looking for somebody who appears to have a lot more than they do."

 One of the biggest tips is to be aware of those who may see times of vulnerability

"There's so much demand put on local law enforcement that you really can't assume that their going to be there for you right away with the additional weather, things that are going on, different events around upstate New York plus all the additional crime you really have to make sure that your prepared in every way and think about those things before you go out."