Many crimes have been committed where people could have avoided being victims by taking some simple precautions. The following suggestions are a few practical ways to protect yourself and your property in three areas where there is exposure: primarily walking, driving and at home.

WALKING

* Avoid dark streets.

* Walk on busily traveled and well-lighted streets.

* During evening hours when walking on streets or parking lots, walk in pairs or with others.

* DO NOT accept rides from strangers.

* Always maintain a secure grip on your purse, briefcase, etc.

* Walk near the curb and avoid passing close to shrubbery, doorways, and other possible places of concealment.

* Have your key ready so that your apartment, house, or car door can be opened immediately. Carrying the key in a ready position is also a good protective device. If attacked, the key could be used effectively to ward off the attacker by raking it over the face and eyes.

* If you feel safer carrying a protective device, some of the more common and best items are: a police whistle or an ordinary pepper shaker filled with black or red pepper, an aerosol hair spray can or a small pointed nail file.

* One of the best weapons, however, is always with you - your voice. Several loud yells will always attract attention. Yelling and running to a lighter residence or business may prevent you from becoming a police statistic.

* Some cities have designated SAFE PLACES; if you see a sign on a residence or business, go there.


DRIVING

* Never enter your car until you check to make sure it is empty. Check the area of the back seat to make sure no one is in hiding.

* Keep windows rolled up and doors locked at all times. This includes driving as well as parking your vehicle. When parking your car at night, always attempt to do so in a well-lighted area, close to a building.

* NEVER pick up a stranger or hitchhiker.

* When stopped at traffic lights and stop signs, keep your car in gear. If
someone tries to get in, drive away. DO NOT worry about hurting the party, but think only in terms of what could happen to you. Keep car doors locked while inside.

* Should your car become disabled in a dark, isolated area and you are alone, raise the hood and sit inside with the doors locked until assistance arrives. If a stranger stops to offer help, only roll down the window enough to request that she or he go to a phone and call for a wrecker or the highway patrol or police.

* When driving, if you think you are being followed, consider these tactics: Try to time your entrance into an intersection controlled by a stop light so that you will make it through on the green or amber and let the party following you hit the red light. Try to find help immediately by pulling into a filling station, policen station, post office, or fire station.


AT HOME

* If you live alone, you should list only your last name and initials on mail boxes and phone directories.

* When salesmen and vendors call at your door, demand identification or
credentials. Don't judge by appearances. Never let a stranger into your home or apartment.

* BE CAUTIOUS about entering an apartment house elevator or laundry room with a strange person. Remember: Practice defensive living.

* UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you reveal to strangers who come to your door or call on the phone that you are alone in the house - especially after dark.

* During evening hours, window shades or curtains should be drawn. A good idea is to leave lights on in two or more rooms to indicate the presence of the persons in the dwelling.

* Doors to apartments and houses should be equipped with good quality locks, preferably of the dead-bolt variety. After moving into a new home or apartment, it is a good idea to change the door locks, as previous tenants may still have existing keys.

* Always safeguard your keys (both house and automobile).

* When you go on an extended trip, don't advertise that your house or apartment is empty. While you should keep family members advised of your schedule, avoid "publicizing" your travel plans. Stop all deliveries and ask a neighbor to pick up all "junk mail" and newspapers. You might even ask neighbors to put some of their garbage in your cans.

* Upon returning to your residence after a trip, if there is evidence that a
door or window has been forced or broken while you were away, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER...someone may still be inside. Use a neighbor's phone to call the police and wait at the neighbor's until they arrive.

* It is a good idea to always keep the number of your local police and fire
departments recorded near your phone, or have them programmed in so that all you have to do is punch a button to have emergency numbers automatically dialed for you. (The latter is especially good for babysitters who don't know your next door neighbors, for example.)

* If you have a cellular phone, keeping it on your nightstand when you go to bed at night is a good idea. If power is lost and emergency occurs, you can still call for help. Nobody can cut the wires to a cellular, and a power outage won't affect it, either.

HOTEL SECURITY

* Do not discuss the name of your hotel within earshot of strangers.

* Guard your baggage carefully, and avoid leaving it unattended in airports or the hotel lobby.

* Check your room carefully. If you have a buddy, have him or her wait in the corridor while you check it. Prop the door open with a piece of luggage while you do your search. A couple of tips: when checking the bathtub, don't just throw the shower curtain back. Instead, lift it from the bottom (in the middle) and look for feet. This will afford you some protection if there is someone there, as the shower curtain will get in their way while you make your escape. When checking under the beds, don't go to the middle of the bed and lift the bedspread; instead,
pick an end corner and check from there.

* Use the door's peephole to identify a caller. Do not let maintenance persons inside without calling the front desk for verification.

* Use the "buddy system" whenever possible - have a friend with you. This
includes shopping, recreation, and dining.

* Never entertain strangers in your room.

* If you are a female checking in alone, do not hesitate to ask for an escort (hotel security) to your room.

A NOTE REGARDING PHONE CALLS

* Should wrong number calls be received, never reveal your name, address, room number, or phone number.

* Should you receive an obscene phone call, don't stay on the phone. HANG UP IMMEDIATELY. If the calls persist, notify the police and the telephone company.

* If you receive a call inquiring about other friends in the same hotel, DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY INFORMATION. If the caller claims to be a friend of theirs, simply ask for the caller's name and phone number and offer to pass along the message.


AND REMEMBER! IF IN TROUBLE. . .

* If a robber demands your valuables, GIVE THEM UP! Your money or your jewelry is not worth risking injury or your life.

* DON'T carry a gun or any weapon. It can easily be used against you.

* BE SELECTIVE about new acquaintances; don't be a victim of a forcible sexual encounter.

* If you are confronted by a rapist, stay calm and maximize your chances for escape. THINK through what you will do.

* You should not IMMEDIATELY try to fight back. Chances are, your attacker has the advantage.

* Try to stay calm and take stock of the situation.

* You should NEVER resist if your attacker has a weapon.

* At your first opportunity, call your LOCAL POLICE. Do not shower or clean up before they arrive. It is important that you not destroy evidence.

RETURN TO NAIS NEWSLETTER MENU