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Tips For Keeping Safe

 

These tips are meant to help keep us safe and can be used by anyone. If you have family and friends who do not have access to a computer, print these and take them a copy. Talk about safety tips with your family and friends; work together to keep each other safe.

 
Be Alert When Out and About - General Safety Guidelines:

Stay alert to your surroundings - who and what is around you?

Go with family and friends instead of by yourself.

Send a message of confidence - make eye contact with people around you; stand up tall and know where you are going before you go.

Trust your instincts! If you are uncomfortable, leave.
 
When Walking:

Choose well-lit, populated areas. Try to avoid vacant parking lots, alleys or construction sites.

Carry your purse close to you, not loose by the straps.

Put your wallet inside your coat pocket or front pants pocket.

Carry only the credit cards you need to use.

Carry only the amount of cash you need at that time - don't carry large amounts! Use direct deposit for Social Security and other regular checks.

Don't flaunt expensive jewelry or clothing.

Walk facing traffic so you can see approaching cars.

Bring "emergency" change for phone calls or a cab.

Have your car or house key in hand as you approach your vehicle or home.

Try not to overburden yourself with packages that make it hard to react. Ask a trusted friend or family member to accompany you or to carry your packages.

Never hitchhike.

If you are being followed by someone on foot, cross the street. Head to a well-lit, populated area. Go to a home or store nearby to call the police. Don't be afraid to scream for help!

If you are being followed by someone in a car, change direction immediately (preferably to the opposite direction the car is traveling) and make a visible point of writing down the license number.
 
When Traveling by Public Transportation:

Try to use well-lit and frequently used bus, train or subway stops.

Try to sit near the driver or near the exit while riding the bus, subway or train.

Don't fall asleep - stay alert!

While waiting for a bus, train or subway, stand with other people or near the token or information booth.

If you are being verbally or physically harassed, attract attention to yourself! Talk loudly and scream.

Be alert of who gets on and off with you. If you feel uncomfortable, walk directly to a place where there are other people.
 
When Traveling by Car:

Plan your route in advance. Make sure you have enough gas and money to get there and back.

Keep all doors locked and windows up if possible when driving.

Be alert in parking lots and garages. Park in well-lit areas and near an entrance if possible.

Never pick up hitchhikers.

If you see a motorist in trouble, don't stop. Go to the nearest public phone or use a cell phone to call the police.

If your car breaks down, raise the hood, use flares or tie a white cloth to the door handle. Stay in the locked car. When someone stops, ask them to phone for help.

If you are being followed while driving, go to the nearest police or fire station, open gas station or other business, or well-lit residence where you can call the police. Try to remember the license plate number and description of the car if possible. If there are no safe areas near, honk your horn repeatedly and turn on your emergency flashers to attract attention.
 
In Elevators:

Look in the elevator before getting in to be sure no one is hiding.

Stand near the controls.

Get off if someone suspicious enters.

If you are worried about someone who is waiting to get on the elevator with you, pretend you forgot something and don't get on.

If you are attacked, hit the alarm and as many floor buttons as possible.
 
When Doing Outdoor Activities:

Choose routes in advance that you know well and are populated.

Vary your route and schedule.

Go during daylight hours.

Know the businesses that are open and locations of police and fire stations along your route.

Consider carrying a shriek alarm.

Consider NOT wearing headphones. It is safer to be alert.
 
When in Your Home:

Install good locks on doors AND windows. USE THEM.

Don't hide keys in mailboxes and planters or under doormats. Instead, leave an extra set of keys with a neighbor or friend.

Ask for photo identification from service or delivery people before letting them in. If you are not expecting them or are the least bit worried, call the company to verify they are supposed to be there BEFORE letting them in.

Be sure your street address number is large, clear of obstruction and well-lit on your house so police and other emergency personnel can find your home quickly.

Consider a home alarm system that provides emergency monitoring for burglary, fire and medical emergencies.
General Fraud Prevention

If it sounds too good to be true - it is!

Never give your credit card number, any part of your social security number, or bank account number to ANYONE over the phone. It's illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift.

Don't let anyone rush you into signing anything - an insurance policy, a sales agreement, a contract. Read it carefully and have someone you trust check it over.

Beware of individuals claiming to represent companies, consumer organizations, or government agencies that offer to recover lost money from fraudulent telemarketers for a fee. Law enforcement officers will do this for free!

Check out anything suspicious with the Better Business Bureau or your local consumer protection office.
For Home Improvement and Repair Fraud

Always get several estimates for a repair or remodeling job. Compare prices AND terms. Check to see if there is a charge for estimates.

Ask friends and family for recommendations. Ask for firm references and check them.

Be suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics.

Pay by check - NEVER with cash, so you can stop payment if dissatisfied. Try to make payments in installments - 1/3 at the beginning of a job, 1/3 when work is almost completed, and the remainder when the job is done.

Get a guarantee on any work done.
Telephone Scams

Signs that you may be on a criminal's "hit" list:

You get unsolicited phone calls from people who seem to know a lot about you and are interested in helping you win the big prize or get rich from a no-risk investment.

Someone requires you to courier money or give a credit card number to claim your prize, or requires you to pay a fee immediately.

Someone requires you to confirm your social security number over the phone then they give the wrong number. Don't correct them! Just say no and ask for their name and organization information. Report them to the police.

                                                                      

Produced by Community Advocates for Family & Youth.  The hosting of this website was made possible by the support by Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice.  Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U. S. Department of Justice.