Think Prevention At All Times

Think Prevention at Home

• Adequate lighting around the entrance is essential.
    
• Use the initial rather than your first name on your door, your mailbox, in the phone book, and on magazine and monthly statements you receive by mail.
    
• Use caution in conversations with strangers. Avoid giving your name, address, or place of employment.
    
• If a stranger asks to use your telephone, do not permit him/her to enter your home or apartment. Offer to summon emergency assistance by making the telephone call.
    
• Always check through the peep hole before opening the door. If you don't have a peephole in your door consider having one installed. Open your door as far as the security chain permits when talking to a stranger.
    
• Always check a person's identification if he states he was sent to your home by his business or company.  Phone the person's company or business to see if he was sent to your home. You must also be aware that the person could have an accomplice who might answer your phone call. He might say that the person was sent to your home by the business or company. Use your phone book to look-up the number. Do not use the number the person gives you. 
    
• If you receive wrong number calls, never reveal your name or address or admit you are alone. Do not give your phone number to an unknown caller, but ask what number he is calling. Do not prolong the conversation. Hang up. Notify the police of obscene calls.
    
• Police officers will display credentials whenever asked. You should always request salesmen and repairmen to show proper identification before admitting them.
    

Think Prevention on the Elevator

• Stand next to the control panel on the elevator.
    
• Check the hallway for suspicious persons before getting off the elevator.
    
• If you are suspicious about anyone when entering an elevator, wait and take another elevator.
    
• If you should be attacked on an elevator, press the emergency button and as many floor buttons as possible
  SCREAM!!!!!
    

Think Prevention with your Keys

• Don't put your name and address on your key ring.
    
• Have your keys ready before you get to your door. The time you spend fumbling in your purse for your keys is just the time a would-be attacker needs to creep up behind you.
    
• Locks should be changed whenever your keys are lost and when you move into a residence which has been previously occupied.
    

Think Prevention Special Hints

• Never leave your doors unlocked. It just takes a second for the would-be burglar to slip through an open door.
    
• Check the corridor for would-be assailants before leaving your residence.
    
• Vary your schedule for shopping and use of the laundry. Try to coordinate your schedule with a friend to avoid having to use the laundry alone.
    
• Keep your shades or blinds drawn at night. Never disrobe in front of a window.
    
• Call whenever danger threatens. In the event of a false alarm it is better to be a bit embarrassed than to be killed or injured.
    

Think Prevention on the Telephone

• When using the telephone, never let the caller know that you are home alone.
  Example: Say aloud near the phone so that the caller can hear, "John, please put the dog out in the yard.
    
• Keep a list of emergency numbers by the phone.
    
• If calling the police for emergency assistance, give your exact address first. State the problem and give as much other information as you have time to give.
    

Think Prevention on the Street

• Don't be careless with your purse. Carry it close to your body with the latch side facing in.
    
• Never leave your purse in a shopping cart and than walk away from the cart searching for something that might be some distance from your cart. Keep your purse closed and in sight at all time. 
    
• Have your change or token ready before you get to the bus stop. There are purse snatchers who operate best in the crowed conditions around bus stops.
    
• Try to get to the bus stop shortly before the bus arrives. 
    
• Walk in the middle of the sidewalk rather than too close to the curb where a would-be assailant could be waiting in a car or too close to buildings where a would-be attacker could be lurking in a doorway.
    
• When approached by a suspicious person, cross the street or change directions.
    
• Never assume that suspicious persons, occurrences or vehicles have been reported to the police. Report them yourself at once. Keep your police department number by your phone.
    
• Avoid walking through alleys and deserted parks, especially at night.
    
• If you are being followed, a mail box makes a good emergency safety deposit box. Your purse can be recovered from postal authorities at a later time.
    
• Avoid going out alone at night. There really is, "SAFETY IN NUMBERS."
    
• If you must carry large sums of money in public keep it out of sight. If you must carry bank bags to the bank containing large sums of money, put the bags in grocery bags or some other kind of bag. Never carry the bags where the public can see them.
    
• Don't invite trouble by going to night clubs unescorted.
    
• Never leave beverages unattended. Someone could put something in your beverage that could cause you bodily harm.
    

Think Prevention in your Car

• Have your keys ready before you get to your car. It's not safe to stand by the car fumbling in your purse or pockets for your keys.
    
• Check the floor of the car, front and back, to make sure it is unoccupied before you unlock the door. Glance at the area under your car while approaching your car.
    
• Keep your car doors locked at all times.
    
• Don't leave your purse or packages on the seat next to you, keep them out of sight.
    
• Put your purse in the glove compartment or on the floor opposite yourself. Your purse can lure a criminal to your car.
    
• Keep your windows rolled up high enough to discourage the would-be thief or attacker from attempting to reach into the car.
    
• Don't ask directions of strangers. If you should become lost ask a policeman or pull into a service and ask for directions.
    
• When using a public parking lot , give only the ignition key to the attendant. Don't leave any valuables in the car.
    
• It's safer to keep the convertible top up at night.
    
• Stay in busy areas that are well lighted.
    
• Never pick up people who are hitch hiking under any circumstances.
    
• If you are being followed, try to scare away the person following you by blowing your horn to attract attention. If that doesn't discourage the person, drive to a police station or service station. NEVER drive home if you think you are being followed.
    
• Keep your car in gear when stopped at traffic lights and stop signs. If your safety is threatened, hold down on the horn, and drive away as soon as possible.
    
• If your car becomes disabled, raise the hood and sit inside with the doors locked until assistance arrives. Be most cautious when dealing with a stranger who offers help. When in doubt, ask him to stop at the nearest service station and request assistance on your behalf. Roll the window down only far enough to talk to the stranger. Do not roll it down where a hand can be forced inside your car. 
    
• When traveling alone you should not stop to aid disabled motorists. If you feel assistance is required notify the police or the nearest service station.
    
• When arriving at home, keep the headlights on until the garage is opened, the car is parked and the house door is unlocked. Be particularly alert when going into apartment house basement garages. If possible, have a friend or relative meet you.
    
• When arriving at home by taxi or private auto, ask the driver to wait until you are inside.
    

Think Prevention at Work

• Never use the stairs if you can avoid it. It's much safer to wait for the elevator than risk the danger of attack in a deserted or poorly lighted stairwell.
    
• Leave information with your family about baby sitting location, phone number, and time expected home.
    
• Never leave keys or valuables in your coat pocket.
    
• Use discretion in revealing your personal plans to other people at work.
    
• If you must work late, alert the building security guard. Call him before you leave your office so he will know when expect you in the lobby.
    

Think Prevention while Shopping

• When asked for identification by a salesperson, such as when paying by check, give only the identification requested. Never surrender your entire wallet or card case.
    
• When leaving the store, especially after making an expensive purchase, make sure you are not followed.
    

Think Prevention

• If you are forced to defend yourself, remember your most important weapon is your voice… SCREAM, SCREAM, SCREAM
    
• Remember - SCREAM first! Use a small whistle or air horn, enter the middle of the street if on the sidewalk.
    
• Strike at a vulnerable area of the attacker's body.
    
• Some of the basic vulnerable areas are: the eyes, the groin, the knee area, the shins, and the instep.
    
• Use your fingernails, your teeth, your knees, your feet, your keys, purse, nail file, hairspray, a rolled-up newspaper, your umbrella….the possibilities are endless.
    
• Your aim is to do maximum damage in the minimum amount of time.
    
• As soon as you have made your move, run for help as fast as you can. Always run to areas where there are people and lights.
    
• CAUTION! "Self-defense" tactics are not foolproof and should be used only as a last resort.
    
• If you are thinking about the use of a gun for protection, you must be aware of the hazards involved. Consult your local police department first. Remember, if the criminal has the opportunity, he might take the gun away and use it against you.
    
• REMEMBER, many of the problems listed above can be inflicted on you by a female as well as a male.