Remember the fundamentals: The way a person communicates physically and verbally can determine whether or not a predator deems you a good target. 55% of that being body language, the way you walk, talk, facial expressions and your eye contact. Your pitch and voice tone make up 35% of that communication.
Apartment Safety:
Safety on the Street:
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts if you think you are in an area in which you should not be, you probably are.
• Know where you're going and the safest way to get there, particularly when moving about the city during hours of darkness. Walk in well traveled, well lighted areas avoiding short cuts through public parks, construction sites, alleys and parking lots.
• Have a plan of action in mind: decide where you would go and what you would do should some dangerous situation occur. If living in the city, know where the nearest police/fire station is located, how to contact the police or a friend in the event of an emergency, what establishments are open late where you could seek refuge if needed, etc.
• Walk with confidence on the street and at a good, steady pace. Keep your head up and observe your surroundings don't look down at the ground.
• If going out on the town for a night of drinking/partying, strongly consider taking a taxi to your planned destination and to return to your residence.
• When going out, tell a roommate or friend where you're going and the approximate time you expect to return. Whenever possible, travel with a friend, or better still, with a group of friends.
• Carry a whistle or similar type of noise maker. In the event of an emergency, the sound may scare off a would be attacker. Unless you are properly trained, carrying mace is not recommended.
• Keep purses and packages tucked securely between your arms and body. Don't overload yourself with packages and bags – it is distracting and it can make you look defenseless.
• Carry only what you need. Don't carry a large amount of cash or numerous credit cards and avoid wearing flashy and excessive amounts of jewelry.
• Take special care when jogging or biking. Vary your route. Go with a friend. Avoid isolated areas and don't wear headphones.
• Exercise caution when using ATM machines. Only use ATMs located in well lit, well trafficked area
Safety at Home
Apartment Safety:
- Respect your building’s access control system. Don’t prop open secured doors or let people you don’t know into the building, even if they claim to live there or tell you they are visiting someone.
- Notify your landlord immediately if a light bulb needs to be replaced in the hallway, stairway, storage room, or laundry. Intruders may use the darkness in those remote locations to lie in wait for solitary victims.
- If you must put your name on your mailbox, try to use your first initial only. An attacker may be able to gain access to your building by convincing you or your neighbors he/she knows you and needs to come in for a legitimate reason.
- If an intruder breaks in, try to leave your apartment safely and contact the police from another location. If you cannot leave, lock yourself in a room with a phone and call the police.
Safety on the Street:
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts if you think you are in an area in which you should not be, you probably are.
• Know where you're going and the safest way to get there, particularly when moving about the city during hours of darkness. Walk in well traveled, well lighted areas avoiding short cuts through public parks, construction sites, alleys and parking lots.
• Have a plan of action in mind: decide where you would go and what you would do should some dangerous situation occur. If living in the city, know where the nearest police/fire station is located, how to contact the police or a friend in the event of an emergency, what establishments are open late where you could seek refuge if needed, etc.
• Walk with confidence on the street and at a good, steady pace. Keep your head up and observe your surroundings don't look down at the ground.
• If going out on the town for a night of drinking/partying, strongly consider taking a taxi to your planned destination and to return to your residence.
• When going out, tell a roommate or friend where you're going and the approximate time you expect to return. Whenever possible, travel with a friend, or better still, with a group of friends.
• Carry a whistle or similar type of noise maker. In the event of an emergency, the sound may scare off a would be attacker. Unless you are properly trained, carrying mace is not recommended.
• Keep purses and packages tucked securely between your arms and body. Don't overload yourself with packages and bags – it is distracting and it can make you look defenseless.
• Carry only what you need. Don't carry a large amount of cash or numerous credit cards and avoid wearing flashy and excessive amounts of jewelry.
• Take special care when jogging or biking. Vary your route. Go with a friend. Avoid isolated areas and don't wear headphones.
• Exercise caution when using ATM machines. Only use ATMs located in well lit, well trafficked area
Safety at Home
- Install window and door shades that make it difficult to see if someone is home. Consider treatments that offer some light filtration so that by day, interiors benefit from natural daylight, and by night, the house looks occupied.
- Upgrade locks on all doors and windows—and use them! For exterior doors, enhance your security by choosing a locking solution that includes a Grade 1 (highest-grade security certificate) deadbolt.
- Put interior lights, TVs, and radios on timers so that you can create the illusion that someone is home when they're not. Modern digital light timers offer a key benefit over traditional models by having lights cycle on and off randomly.
- There is nothing more suspicious than a porch light left on from dusk to dawn over a long period of time. Install motion- or infrared-controlled outdoor lighting. Motion detector lighting is inexpensive and easy to install.
- Prune or replace large foundation plantings; that way, intruders cannot hide behind shrubs while prying open a window or door. Low thorny bushes are also a deterrent.
- Form or join a neighborhood watch group. Such groups are effective crime deterrents, because they encourage residents to be vigilant and to call the police whenever they see something amiss. They also provide information about crime in your neighborhood and work with police to improve response times.
- Don’t forget about garages and sheds. Always keep garage doors closed, even while at home, so thieves are not able to spot items they may want to steal later. Lock valuable items, such as expensive bicycles and grills, with a chain and pad lock. Install a hasp and padlock on shed doors.
- Change the greeting on your answering machine, so it doesn’t indicate whether you are away or not. Never leave a note on the door for delivery people indicating you are away.
- Keep car doors locked and windows closed. Never leave valuables, especially electronics or money, in the car. Or if you must, put them out of sight. Use a locking device on your steering wheel in high-crime areas.
- When engaged in a home improvement project, do not leave ladders in sight. They are an invitation to burglars. Similarly, don’t leave tools lying about that might be useful to an intruder, such as a hammer or pry bar
- "bobvila.com"