| The information included in this section provides information to show you what you can to prevent crime before it happens. Here Are Some Facts About Crime... As you know, crime is on the increase in most large U.S. cities. It is also becoming more prevalent in small communities. Thinking that it can only happen to someone else and doing nothing to prepare yourself or take precautionary measures in case makes you the perfect victim criminals are looking for. Making yourself less of a target is simpler than you might think. Defense sprays like pepper spray or mace spray and weapons like air tasers and stun guns, when properly used can significantly improve your chances of escaping or minimizing dangerous situations involving attackers and assailants. The "safeguards" and tips available to you here will help protect you - and may even save your life! |
Be aware of your surroundings, especially
between dusk and dawn. If you notice
anything suspicious - a security light out,
someone loitering nearby - consider
coming back later or using an ATM inside a
supermarket or convenience store.
between dusk and dawn. If you notice
anything suspicious - a security light out,
someone loitering nearby - consider
coming back later or using an ATM inside a
supermarket or convenience store.
 | If using the ATM at night, take | |
| someone with you. | ||
| Park in a well-lit area as close as | |
| possible to the ATM. | ||
| At a drive-through ATM, be sure the | |
| doors are locked and the passenger windows are rolled up. | ||
| If you withdraw cash, put it away | |
| promptly; count it later, in private. | ||
| Put your ATM card and receipt away | |
| promptly; never leave your receipt at the ATM. | ||
| Keep your PIN secret - don't write it | |
| down, and don't share it with anyone you don't trust absolutely. Your PIN provides access to your account. | ||
| Shield the keypad when entering | |
| your PIN to keep it from being observed. | ||
| Avoid being too regular in your ATM | |
| use - don't repeatedly visit the same machine at the same time, the same day of the week |
Although a professional car thief can defeat most security measures and
quickly break into and steal a locked vehicle, most vehicle thefts and
break-ins are carried out by amateurs who take advantage of the
carelessness of drivers in leaving vehicles unlocked, valuables in sight, etc.
Security conscious drivers lose less than those who are careless.
According to the FBI, most cars are stolen because they are easy to steal.
Eighty percent of all cars stolen last year were unlocked at the time. And
40 percent actually had the keys in the ignition.
The tips in this section deal with preventing vehicle theft or break-ins,
helping to recover a stolen vehicle or property from a vehicle, preventing
vandalism, and buying a used vehicle. You can significantly enhance
the security of your vehicles by following them.
quickly break into and steal a locked vehicle, most vehicle thefts and
break-ins are carried out by amateurs who take advantage of the
carelessness of drivers in leaving vehicles unlocked, valuables in sight, etc.
Security conscious drivers lose less than those who are careless.
According to the FBI, most cars are stolen because they are easy to steal.
Eighty percent of all cars stolen last year were unlocked at the time. And
40 percent actually had the keys in the ignition.
The tips in this section deal with preventing vehicle theft or break-ins,
helping to recover a stolen vehicle or property from a vehicle, preventing
vandalism, and buying a used vehicle. You can significantly enhance
the security of your vehicles by following them.
Preventing Theft or Break-ins
The following tips help prevent vehicle break-ins, which could lead to
theft of the vehicle itself or of property items from the vehicle.
To prevent theft of the vehicle itself:
To prevent the theft of property from a vehicle:
Recovering a Stolen Vehicle or Property Taken from a Vehicle
Preventing Vandalism
Buying a Used Vehicle
The following tips help prevent vehicle break-ins, which could lead to
theft of the vehicle itself or of property items from the vehicle.
| Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your | |
| destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles. | ||
| Park in lots or garages where you don’t have to leave your keys. | |
| Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle on | |
| the street, in an alley, or on your driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas. | ||
| Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take | |
| your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway. Close all windows and lock the trunk and hood. | ||
| Don’t leave spare keys in your vehicle. An experienced thief knows | |
| all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet. | ||
| Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an | |
| extended period time. | ||
| Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck lock releases. Install a | |
| secondary hood lock if your car does not have one. | ||
| Replace knob-type door lock buttons with tapered ones. | |
| Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to | |
| break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle. | ||
| Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound. But don’t try to | |
| stop a person attempting to break in. Get a good description of the person and call the police. |
To prevent theft of the vehicle itself:
| Turn your wheels sharply toward the curb when parking on a street. | |
| Use anti-theft devices that can be attached to the steering wheel | |
| or column, or brake pedal. Use one every time you leave your vehicle unattended. Steering wheel locks are inexpensive and are recommended by some experts to be the most cost-effective theft deterrent on the market today. | ||
| Install fuel or power cut-off switches. | |
| Buy a vehicle with a locking ignition or steering column. | |
| Chain motorcycles and bicycles to stationary objects when | |
| unattended. | ||
| Consider having your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etched | |
| on all the windows. |
To prevent the theft of property from a vehicle:
| Never leave any contents or valuables in plain sight. Remove | |
| cellular phones, audio systems, computers, packages, sport equipment, cameras, purses, etc. Lock them in the trunk before you park or take them with you. And if you can’t replace an item, don’t leave it anywhere in your vehicle. | ||
| Install locking devices on batteries, wheels, audio equipment, etc. | |
| Make several slices through your license plate registration sticker | |
| after it has been placed on the plate. If the plate or sticker is stolen, call the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) immediately to report the loss and get replacements. |
Recovering a Stolen Vehicle or Property Taken from a Vehicle
| Call the police immediately and provide a complete description of | |
| the vehicle and any property taken from it, including a license plate. Vehicles should be described by: year, make, model, color (s), VIN, insurance company and policy number, license plate number and state, and name of any GPS tracking and/or locator system installed in the vehicle. Property should be described by type, make, model, serial number, and fair market value. | ||
| Etch your driver’s license number on all removable valuable | |
| items, e.g., audio equipment. Also etch the number on various places on the vehicle itself. | ||
| Don’t leave your driver’s license in the vehicle. | |
| Keep a record of the VIN, license plate number, and insurance | |
| information in your wallet or purse. Also be able to provide the information listed above for any property that might be stolen from the vehicle. | ||
| Don’t leave your vehicle title (pink slip) in the vehicle. | |
| Install a vehicle GPS tracking and/or location system that can be | |
| activated after the vehicle is reported as stolen. |
Preventing Vandalism
| Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your | |
| destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles. | ||
| Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle on | |
| the street, in an alley, or on your driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas. | ||
| Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an | |
| extended period time. | ||
| Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck lock releases. Install a | |
| secondary hood lock if your car does not have one. Also install a locking gas tank cap. |
Buying a Used Vehicle
| Be suspicious of a ridiculously low price or a fresh paint job on a late | |
| model vehicle. | ||
| Make sure the seller is the owner named on the vehicle title. Don’t | |
| be afraid to ask to see some photo identification. | ||
| Verify past insurance and financing, and current registration and | |
| license plate sticker. | ||
| Make sure the VIN has not been tampered with and matches the | |
| number on the vehicle title. | ||
| Obtain both sets of the original keys. | |
| Make sure registration fees paid to dealer are sent to DMV promptly. | |
"veteran" caring for young children, babysitting is
one of the biggest responsibilities you will ever
have, and something that must always be taken
seriously. Consider taking a child/infant first aid
training class. Some employers will insist their
babysitters be CPR certified.
Getting the Job
On the Job
The same rules apply to daytime, as well as
nighttime babysitting, with a few additions...
one of the biggest responsibilities you will ever
have, and something that must always be taken
seriously. Consider taking a child/infant first aid
training class. Some employers will insist their
babysitters be CPR certified.
Getting the Job
| Know your employer. Babysit only for | |
| people you or your parents know, or for whom you have a personal reference. Answering newspaper ads may not be safe. | ||
| Be sure to find out from you employer what | |
| time they expect to be back. Be sure that they know how much you charge, and if you have a curfew, especially if it is your first time babysitting for them. | ||
| Leave with your parents the name, phone | |
| number, and address of where you will be baby-sitting, and tell them what time your employer expects to return home. |
On the Job
| Consider taking a short nap before going to | |
| work so you will be alert and wide awake on the job. | ||
| Before your employer leaves, write down | |
| the phone number and address where they will be (cell phones numbers are crucial if available). Also, have written down the child(ren)'s doctor(s) phone numbers as well as an emergency contact like a closeby neighbor. Include any allergies or medications and any other special instructions the employer gives you. Do this for every job you take. Keep the form and keep a pencil and paper near the phone. | ||
| Have the parents do a safety check with | |
| you throughout the house or apartment. Find out where the emergency exits are, in case of fire, and find out if the house/apartment has a smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, or both. | ||
| Know how to work the door and window | |
| locks in the house or apartment, and lock them if/when you are in the house; leave at least one outside light on at night. | ||
| If the phone rings while you are babysitting, | |
| don't tell the caller that you are alone. Say you are visiting, and the child's parents can't come to the phone right now, but you will give them a message. If anyone persists or gets rude, hang up. | ||
| Limit your telephone usage. The distraction | |
| creates opportunities for children to find trouble. | ||
| Don't open the door to strangers, and don't | |
| tell anyone who comes to the door that you are alone. Again, say that you are visiting, and will deliver the message. | ||
| Do not invite friends over while you | |
| babysit. Parents expect top priority in the care of their children. | ||
| Be sure to keep the volume of the TV or | |
| stereo turned down, so you can hear any unusual noise, or hear a baby cry. |
The same rules apply to daytime, as well as
nighttime babysitting, with a few additions...
| During the day you might have the | |
| children out in the yard. If in the backyard, make sure the front door is locked. | ||
| If you take the children to the park, or | |
| anywhere else, make sure you have the house key with you when you leave. Double check to make sure all doors are locked before you leave. | ||
| It is also a good idea to have all the | |
| children go to the bathroom before you leave, to avoid having to use the public restrooms. | ||
| When on walks with young children, | |
| always hold them by the hand. Keep the child between you and the houses, not between you and the street. | ||
| When you are out with the children, do not | |
| talk to strangers, and if you suspect you are being followed at any time, go to the nearest home, store, or gas station and call the police. | ||
| When you get back to the child(ren)'s | |
| home, if anything seems unusual--a broken window, a door ajar, a strange car parked in the driveway or outside--don't go in. Go to a neighbor and call the police. In fact, if at any time when you are babysitting, if you are uneasy or suspicious about something you see or hear, don't hesitate to call the police. |
Riding a bicycle is more than basic
transportation- - it can be a fun and
exciting hobby. When you ride, you are
not alone. You share the road with cars,
trucks, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
Since accidents can turn a bicycling
adventure into a tragedy, here are a few
tips to help make your ride a safe one.
Protect Your Head
Wear a helmet. As of January 1994, those
under the age of eighteen are required by
law to wear a helmet. As of January 1,
1995, those under the age of eighteen
caught riding without a helmet face
tickets and possible fines to their parents.
Studies have shown that using a bicycle
helmet can reduce head injuries by up to
85 percent. Select a helmet that has a
snug but comfortable fit.
Go With the Flow of Traffic
You must obey the rules of the road. These
include all traffic signals, signs, and road
markings. Ride on the right side of the
street in single file. Use the proper hand
signals. Never weave from lane to lane or
tailgate to hitch rides on moving cars or
trucks. For a complete set of rules
regarding bicycles and traffic, visit your
local Department of Motor Vehicles.
Be aware of traffic around you. Seven out
of ten car-bicycle crashes occur at
driveways or other intersections. Before
you enter a street or intersection, check for
traffic and always look left-right-left. Walk
your bicycle across busy streets at corners
or crosswalks.
Stay Alert
Keep a look-out for obstacles in your path.
Watch out for pot holes, storm drain
gratings, cracks, railroad tracks, loose
gravel, and broken glass. Before going
around any object, look ahead and
behind you for a free gap in traffic. Plan
your move, and then signal your
intentions. Be especially careful in wet
weather, as water can make you slip, and
can cause your brakes to work improperly.
Daily ABC's
Air in your tires at proper pressure.
Brakes that work properly.
Cables that are all attached properly.
Beware of Darkness
Be cautious when riding at night. If you
have to ride at night, you should have a
front light attached to the bicycle, or to
your body, that is visible from 300 feet to
the front and from the sides. You must
have a red rear reflector. Wear reflective
clothing or reflective materials, especially
on your ankles, wrists, back, and helmet.
Ride in areas that are familiar and on
streets that are well lit.
Protecting Your Bicycle From Theft
A bicycle can be stolen from just about
any place, but simple precautions can
deter would-be bike thieves. Remember,
most bikes that are stolen were not locked!
Always lock your bicycle securely, whether
you are gone for a few minutes or a few
hours. Use a U-lock, securing both wheels
and the frame to a stationary object such
as a post, fence, tree, or a bike rack. For
extra security, add a chain or cable with a
good padlock. Always park your bike
where it can be easily seen.
Remember, locking the bike to itself by
securing the wheels to the frame doesn't
help, because a thief can carry it away
and remove the lock later.
transportation- - it can be a fun and
exciting hobby. When you ride, you are
not alone. You share the road with cars,
trucks, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
Since accidents can turn a bicycling
adventure into a tragedy, here are a few
tips to help make your ride a safe one.
Protect Your Head
Wear a helmet. As of January 1994, those
under the age of eighteen are required by
law to wear a helmet. As of January 1,
1995, those under the age of eighteen
caught riding without a helmet face
tickets and possible fines to their parents.
Studies have shown that using a bicycle
helmet can reduce head injuries by up to
85 percent. Select a helmet that has a
snug but comfortable fit.
Go With the Flow of Traffic
You must obey the rules of the road. These
include all traffic signals, signs, and road
markings. Ride on the right side of the
street in single file. Use the proper hand
signals. Never weave from lane to lane or
tailgate to hitch rides on moving cars or
trucks. For a complete set of rules
regarding bicycles and traffic, visit your
local Department of Motor Vehicles.
Be aware of traffic around you. Seven out
of ten car-bicycle crashes occur at
driveways or other intersections. Before
you enter a street or intersection, check for
traffic and always look left-right-left. Walk
your bicycle across busy streets at corners
or crosswalks.
Stay Alert
Keep a look-out for obstacles in your path.
Watch out for pot holes, storm drain
gratings, cracks, railroad tracks, loose
gravel, and broken glass. Before going
around any object, look ahead and
behind you for a free gap in traffic. Plan
your move, and then signal your
intentions. Be especially careful in wet
weather, as water can make you slip, and
can cause your brakes to work improperly.
Daily ABC's
Air in your tires at proper pressure.
Brakes that work properly.
Cables that are all attached properly.
Beware of Darkness
Be cautious when riding at night. If you
have to ride at night, you should have a
front light attached to the bicycle, or to
your body, that is visible from 300 feet to
the front and from the sides. You must
have a red rear reflector. Wear reflective
clothing or reflective materials, especially
on your ankles, wrists, back, and helmet.
Ride in areas that are familiar and on
streets that are well lit.
Protecting Your Bicycle From Theft
A bicycle can be stolen from just about
any place, but simple precautions can
deter would-be bike thieves. Remember,
most bikes that are stolen were not locked!
Always lock your bicycle securely, whether
you are gone for a few minutes or a few
hours. Use a U-lock, securing both wheels
and the frame to a stationary object such
as a post, fence, tree, or a bike rack. For
extra security, add a chain or cable with a
good padlock. Always park your bike
where it can be easily seen.
Remember, locking the bike to itself by
securing the wheels to the frame doesn't
help, because a thief can carry it away
and remove the lock later.
Follow these tips to help reduce your chances of
being car jacked. Walk with purpose, and stay
alert.
If It Happens To You
being car jacked. Walk with purpose, and stay
alert.
| Approach your car with the key in hand. | |
| Look around and inside the car before getting in. | ||
| Park in well-lighted areas, near sidewalks or | |
| walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters, woods, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility. | ||
| Never leave valuables in plain view, even | |
| when the car is locked. Put them out of sight in the trunk. | ||
| Keep doors locked and windows rolled up, | |
| no matter how short the distance or how safe the area. | ||
| Look around, especially at places where | |
| you slow down or stop, such as garages and parking lots, intersections, self-service gas stations, and car washes, highway entry and exit ramps, and ATMs. | ||
| When coming to a stop, leave enough | |
| room to maneuver around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away. | ||
| Avoid driving alone, if possible. Travel with | |
| someone, especially at night. | ||
| Don't stop to assist a stranger whose car has | |
| broken down. Help instead by driving to the nearest phone and calling police for help. | ||
| Always keep your car well maintained, and | |
| make sure you have plenty of gas. |
If It Happens To You
| If a car jacker threatens you with a gun or | |
| other weapon, give up your car. Don't argue. Your life is worth more than a car. | ||
| Get away as quickly as possible. | |
| Contact the police immediately. | |
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