With some of the major events in the news…tornados, earthquakes, volcanos, we thought it might be wise to review your emergency plans, as well as general precautions for personal safety, at home, at work, and in between.
Don’t Be A Victim
Guideline for Personal Safety – At Home – At Work
MOST crimes may be avoided by using good judgment and common sense. If you act like a victim, you may very well become one. This means that the first preventive tool in your inventory is your attitude, your demeanor, and your awareness. Criminals look for vulnerable targets. They attack those who look unaware, unable to defend themselves, and unable to escape.
Your attitude should be that of someone constantly looking for potential threats. You should not be burdened down by packages, walking around without looking where you are going, or not avoiding risky routes of travel.
Be aware of strangers at all times. Maintain your private space. When someone uninvited intrudes on your space, you need to verbally ask them to back off, or physically move them back. The third alternative is vacating that space as quickly as possible.
Protect Your Home from most threats. The greatest threat is fire, which is sometimes used to mask other crimes. Burglaries are the next most common, occurring usually when your home is unoccupied. Home robberies or home invasions or on the rise nationally. Take a look at the perimeter of your home from the farthest point of your property. Does the home look occupied? Are lights left on when you are gone? Are newspaper deliveries stopped? Is there any sign or sound to indicate someone might be home. What would you do if you were home and someone tried to force there way in? If nothing else, don’t unlock doors for someone you don’t know. Regardless of how desperate they are, call 911 and get to a safe place. Reinforce perimeter door hardware, to include hardened steel striker plates and deadbolt locks. Consider an alarm system. Next best defense – a big, loud dog. Do not open up for solicitors. If you need something, go to a store!
Protect Your Car. You’ve heard it often enough, there’s a reason. Park in lighted areas in a busy part of the lot. Avoid parking garages, especially at night. Do NOT leave anything in plain sight in your car. Doesn’t matter what it is. If someone “cruising” parking lots sees something on the seat, it’s fair game. Car alarms aren’t rocket science, but they do call attention to your vehicle. The best kind cut off the ignition so the car cannot be hotwired. Emergency locators are even better. (www.lojack.com) They will track your cars’ location and may even disable the ignition. If involved in a minor accident at night, use your judgment. Consider driving to the nearest police or fire station. Do NOT get out of the car, alone, at night, in a secluded or low traffic area. Keep your doors locked and windows up. If someone offers help, tell them to call the police.
Don’t LOOK Like a Victim. Keep at least one hand free when you’re walking. If you can’t carry it all in one hand, get a backpack, rolling cart, or make another trip. Consider putting Pepper Spray and/or a whistle on your key ring. Maintain your space. Safe distance from someone you don’t know is an arm (or leg) length. It’s not always possible, especially in crowds, but when you are able, keep strangers out of your space. Walk with your head up, shoulders back, and look from side to side to be alert for possible threats. Don’t walk close to buildings, especially doorways. Don’t stop for strangers asking directions or for handouts. You don’t have to be polite! Realizing this philosophy violates what you have learned throughout your life, you have to ask yourself, “do I want to be safe, or take the risk and be a polite person.
Be Prepared for emergencies. Regardless of where you live or work, you can’t predict when a crisis will develop. In your vehicle, carry an emergency kit. Minimum supplies:
Flashlight
Jumper Cables
Road Flares
Portable Charger
Water
Non-perishable snacks
Blanket
Matches
Candles
Sterno Can
Portable CB Radio (yes, they still work)
Portable am/fm Radio
Toilet Paper
Knife/small Axe
Pet food
You also need to be prepared for survival at the office. Supplies there should include:
Water
Blankets
Sleeping Pad
Matches
Candles
Generator
Portable am/fm Radio
Perishable snacks
Toilet Paper
Portable two-way Radios
Emergency Supplies for the home should include most of the first list, plus a portable generator, and a complete stash of emergency food and water supplies for every member of the family, including pets.