Safety Tips
The information below includes safety tips that may help prevent you from becoming the victim of a crime.
- Auto Theft
- Fraud
- Firearms Safety
- Home
- Internet
- Personal Safety
- Child Safety Seats
- Vacation & Travel
- Workplace Safety
Auto Theft
- Never leave your car unattended with the keys inside or in the ignition.
- Do not leave the keys to your vehicle with a parking attendant.
- Keep windows shut whenever you park. A tiny gap can allow a thief to insert a wire and unlock a door.
- When purchasing a car ask about anti-theft options such as:
- Alarms
- Locks for tape decks, batteries and gas tanks
- Steering column locks
- Switches that interrupt the fuel or electronic systems
- Many insurance companies offer reduced rates to owners who install security devices.
Fraud
- Never give your credit card number to someone over the telephone unless you're positive your speaking with a representative of a reputable business. Retain all carbon copies and charge slips. Check monthly statements for unauthorized charges.
- Beware of social security and insurance scams. Criminals will claim to offer services the Social Security Administration provides for free or insurance to veterans.
- Protect yourself against mail fraud. Beware of mail order scams promising medical care, lab tests or a chance to earn a large amount of money in a small period of time.
- Understand what "900" numbers provide. You can get charged for listening to a pre-recorded message that provides useless information, or information you can get somewhere else for free. Before you call, make sure you need the information. Find out what the call will cost. Don't confuse "900" numbers, which charge a fee, with free "800" numbers.
- Choose charities carefully when making donations. Make sure you know exactly who will get your money and how it will be used.
- Be sure to read and understand all documents before you sign them.
- If someone comes to your home asking for holiday donations, don't feel pressured to give money or items at that moment. A reputable charity will take your donation regardless of the time of the year.
Firearms Safety
- Teach children from a very early age about the dangers of firearms.
- If you choose to own firearms, make sure it is unloaded and stored in a secure location such as a safe. Invest in trigger or cable locks. Store ammunition separately, also in a secure location. Store keys out of reach of children, away from weapons and ammunition. Check frequently to make sure your storage units are secure.
- Obtain training in firearms safety from a certified instructor.
- Teach your children what to do if they find a firearm.
Home
- Buy new locks when you move into a new home.
- Place supplemental locks on windows opening onto fire escapes and on doors opening onto terraces and balconies.
- Install a peephole in all your doors. An intruder can easily break a chain on your door.
- Keep shrubbery trimmed so it doesn't block your view out of any window.
- Have lights on all side and main entrances to your home.
- Don't hide keys outside the door, under mats, in flower pots or over moldings.
Internet
- Choose a commercial online service offering parental control features, and realize that children may be able to manipulate the software.
- Keep your computer in a common place in your home, not in a child's bedroom. That allows you to easily monitor the sites your child is visiting or the people they are communicating with online.
- Tell your children never to give out names, addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, the school they attend and pictures to others online.
- Tell your children never to meet face to face with someone they've met online.
- Never respond to messages from unfamiliar persons.
- If you receive pornographic material or threatening email, save the offensive material and contact the user's Internet service provider as well as your local law enforcement agency.
Personal Safety
- Trust your instincts. Report suspicious people, cars and situations immediately to your local law enforcement agency.
- If someone tries to rob you, give them your property.
- Report all crimes to your local law enforcement agency and describe any detail you remember.
- If you take public transportation wait at busy, well-lit stops. Sit close to the driver. Pay attention to who is around you.
Child Safety Seats
- Effective July 1, 2002, all children under the age of 6 must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat.
- Children under the age of 12 should ride properly restrained in the back seat of a vehicle.
- Make sure all children are in the proper child safety seats for their age and size.
- Everyone should buckle both lap and shoulder belts when available.
- Drivers should sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel.
Vacation & Travel
- Carry your purse close to your body, your wallet in an inside pocket, or wear a money pouch under your clothes.
- Avoid displaying expensive items or large amounts of money.
- Park in well-lighted areas, have your car keys ready when you approach your car and check the back seat and floors before you get in.
- Never leave your luggage unattended.
Workplace Safety
- Keep your purse, wallet, money, debit cards and credit cards in your possession.
- Lock your office door when you leave for any amount of time.
- Check the identity of strangers in your office.
- Don't work late alone.
- Know the procedures for any emergency.