For those who plan to include alcoholic beverages in their Thanksgiving weekend festivities, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Capt. Tim House offered one simple rule.

“Don’t drink and drive,” he said. “We will be out this weekend working with other jurisdictions and the [Georgia] State Patrol, so if you’re going to drink, don’t drive.”

House said the agency also plans to increase patrols in local shopping areas in an effort to prevent theft.

“People need to be very cognizant of what they’re putting in plain view in their automobiles while they’re out shopping this season because the criminal element that is out there will be looking to see what you have in the car so they’ll have Christmas as well,” House said.

He noted that the sheriff’s office will also be patrolling the Big Creek Greenway in anticipation of residents enjoying the cool, dry weather expected over the weekend.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Allan Frampton said every year during the holiday season the agency receives an increased number of reports of thefts of packages left on the front steps of homes.

“To avoid this type of theft, we encourage you to either have the items delivered to your place of business if you are not home during the day, or to have it delivered to a neighbor or friend nearby that can take delivery,” Frampton said.

“You can also mark or put in the notes section when ordering online that you would like the package to have to be signed for or that you will pick it up at the post office or other delivery facility.”

Incoming mail could be taken and used for identity theft. To counter that, he suggested mailing payments from the post office or a blue postal mailbox.

“A raised flag on your mailbox signals the possibility of outgoing checks and credit card payments to would be thieves,” he said.

According to AAA, Thanksgiving travel is expected to increase nationwide by 4 percent this year from 2010.

During the holiday period, which ends Sunday, some 38 million Americans are expected to travel.

As part of its annual Click It or Ticket campaign, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has urged Georgia motorists to wear their seatbelts.

“Seatbelts have saved more lives than any other single piece of automotive safety equipment,” said Harris Blackwood, director of the department. “But in order for them to work, they have to be used and they have to be used correctly.

“This Thanksgiving, and every day and night of the year, be sure to buckle your seatbelt and you’ll have the opportunity to unbuckle that other belt at the feast table with your family and friends.”