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Improve Your Safety

Improve Your Safety

Three Basic Rules

1. Trust your instincts

  • If something looks wrong or dangerous, change your course of action.

2. Use common sense

  • Let someone know where you are going and when you will return
  • Never carry a lot of cash, keep your wallet or purse close to you
  • Don't resist if someone wants your belongings, especially if that person has a weapon
  • Avoid dark streets or lightly traveled areas

3. Work with the Police

  • Get to know the police
  • Ask police about unfamiliar neighborhoods before traveling there
  • Report suspicious activity
  • Ask for assistance if you expect trouble or suspect danger

Personal Safety

Personal Appearance
  • Wear clothes that will allow you to move easily
  • Carry only what you need: less is better
  • Keep your wallet or money separate from your purse
  • Hold your handbag in front of you and not around your neck
Walking
  • Remember there is safety in numbers
  • Walk with confidence, be direct and alert
  • Use areas that are well traveled and well lighted at night
  • Avoid short cuts, vary your route
In a car
  • Don't ride with strangers or pick them up
  • In traffic, keep doors locked and windows up
  • Park and lock your car and remove the keys
  • Park in areas that are well lighted
  • When you return to your car, check in and around it, and have your keys in your hand and ready to use
  • If you are followed, don't go home, go to a public place or police station
  • Keep valuables in trunk or hidden in the car and do not keep registration papers or valuables in the glove box
  • BE COURTEOUS!  Confrontations often occur when drivers become frustrated about how others drive
If you have car trouble
  • Raise the hood, use emergency flashers, tie something white around your antenna or mirror.
  • Carry a 'HELP' sign and keep a can of tire inflator in trunk.
  • Stay inside the car, lock the doors and if help is offered, ask for the police
  • Remember to regularly check your car's oil, gas, water and tires. Service your car regularly.
Public Transportation
  • Wait in a well lighted area, near other people
  • If someone bothers you, make noise to attract attention
  • Sit in the aisle seat, near the driver
  • If taking a taxi, ask the driver to wait until you enter your residence
Elevators
  • Enter with groups and stand away from the door while waiting
  • Avoid entering an elevator with a stranger
  • If you feel uncomfortable, get off as soon as possible
  • Stand near the control panel
If you are followed
  • Act suspicious; turn and look at the person
  • Let the follower know you won't be surprised
  • Change direction; cross the street
  • Go into a public place, such as a store or gas station
  • Carry a whistle or personal alarm and know how to use it
  • If attacked, act quickly - you can yell at the attacker, scream for help, run or fight back by giving a quick blow to vital areas such as the throat, nose, eyes, knees or groin.
  • You could also vomit or urinate and yell that you have a disease to scare off the attacker.
  • The most important goal is to simply SURVIVE any attack!
Beware of Suspicious Activity
  • Person who behaves strangely or whose movements are unusual
  • Vehicle that makes frequent passes around the block, drives at night with no lights on, or driving recklessly
  • Person carrying, concealing or attempting to conceal weapons
  • Person stopping others on the street or approaching kids
  • Gangs or groups gathering to cause trouble
  • People who sell things out of their cars
Self Defense
  • Martial Arts are good for mental and physical fitness, but it takes time to become skilled. Some techniques take years of practice to master.
  • Defensive Tools: may be taken from you and used against you. Be sure the tool you use is in good working order.
  • Noise- whistles, alarms etc. Have them ready and working
  • Sprays- tear gas, mace and pepper spray. Be sure the spray is in your hand. Sprays may be illegal in some states
  • Fire Extinguisher can be sprayed into the attacker's face or used as a club
  • Stun Guns can be used if opponent is close, since it must be applied to skin
  • Lethal Weapons- knives, guns, razors etc. You must be properly trained and in some cases licensed.
  • Household Items -- kitchen utensils, ashtray, flashlight, aerosol can spray.
  • Personal Items -- brush, comb, pen, pencil, nail file, keys.
Protecting Your Car
  • Always lock all doors and roll up the windows
  • Install tapered interior door lock buttons
  • Park in heavily traveled areas
  • Engrave an identifying number on a hidden place on the car and on any valuable components to help the police identify recovered property
  • Don't leave any valuables in sight or hide spare keys
  • Have alarms or fuel shut-off switches installed
Business Travel
  • While at the airport stay alert and watch your bags
  • Watch out for staged mishaps, like someone bumping into you or spilling a drink. Often such an 'accident' is a ploy to divert your attention
  • Keep a record of the contents of your luggage and anything valuable in your carry-on
  • Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewelry, etc. that might draw attention
  • If driving, become familiar with your travel route before you start and make sure your rental car is in good operating condition
  • At a hotel, never leave your luggage unattended, keep all hotel doors and windows locked
  • Learn the locations of fire exits, elevators and public phones in case of emergency
  • Ask hotel staff about the safety of the neighborhood and what areas to avoid
  • Always verify who is at your door. If an unexpected visitor claims to be hotel staff, call the front desk to make sure

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