Safety and crime prevention Tips

Three factors must be present for a crime to occur: desire, ability and opportunity. You can have a significant impact on the last one – opportunity – and reduce crime by following these simple crime prevention tips.

At Home

• Use a door viewer before opening your door. Always demand identification from strangers (even repair or sales persons).
• Always lock up your home before leaving and don’t hide your house keys outdoors anywhere.
• Have keys ready and in your hand for immediate use when you return home.
• Use interior and exterior lighting at all times.
• Always use Safe Internet Shopping practices.
• Shred credit card offers and bank statements before you throw them away if you do not plan on using them.
• Hide or destroy boxes from expensive purchases.
• Do not answer personal questions about your home such as type of alarm, daytime occupancy, etc.
• Do not let people inside your home (to use the bathroom, phone, etc.).
• Avoid mail theft by obtaining a locked mailbox and dropping off outgoing mail at the local post office.
• Do not give out your personal information or credit card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
• Check out the Home Burglary Prevention Tips.
• Safeguard your home and yourself while you are away with Vacation Safety.

Metal Theft

• Learn how to prevent Catalytic Converter Theft.
• Protect your home against Air Conditioner Theft.
• Learn how to prevent Tailgate Theft.

Personal Safety

• Rape is a violent crime, an invasion, a frightening experience. By being aware of some Rape Prevention Tips, a person can reduce the likelihood of becoming a rape victim.
• Teen Dating Violence: Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship.

Walking

• Plan your route ahead of time. Never walk alone at night; walk with a friend or your dog.
• Use well-lit streets, not dark alleys or bushy areas.
• Carry signaling devices like shriek alarms or a whistle.
• Carry defensive devices such as pepper spray.
• Be alert to what’s all around you! Look behind you occasionally.
• Never ask for or accept a ride from a stranger.
• Don’t carry large sums of money or wear valuable jewelry.
• Don’t resist an armed robber. Hand over whatever is demanded quickly and quietly.
• Remember, your life and safety is worth more than any personal property.

Purse/Wallet Protection

• If possible, don’t carry a purse. Never carry anything you can’t afford to lose in it.
• Carry your purse across the front of your body, with your forearm across the front of the purse and your elbow held tightly against your side.
• Carry your keys, wallet or other valuables in pockets in your clothes and not in your hand.
• Carry minimum amounts of cash and credit cards. Keep a record of all of your card numbers.
• Check out how to prevent Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim of it.
• Be sure to also look at tips on ATM Awareness.

Driving

• Always look inside your vehicle before getting in.
• Lock all doors immediately after you are in the vehicle.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• If a stranger approaches while you are in a vehicle, keep the windows up, doors locked and engine running.
• Honk your horn if you need to attract attention.
• Park in well-lit areas at night.
• Always lock your car when leaving it.
• Consider installing an auto burglar alarm system.
• Don’t leave anything valuable in your car if at all possible.