Two Basic Rules
- Stay alert.
- Keep your mind on your surroundings, who's in front of you and who's behind you. Don't get distracted.
After a Sexual Assault
- Go to a safe place and call the police.
- The sooner you report the crime, the greater the chances your attacker will be caught.
- DO NOT shower, bathe, douche, or destroy any clothing you were wearing. Do not disturb any physical evidence.
- Go to a hospital emergency room for medical care.
- Call someone to be with you. You should not be alone. Contact a rape treatment or crisis center to help you deal with the consequences of the assault.
While Driving
- Park in well-lighted areas and lock your doors, no matter how long you'll be gone.
- Put valuables out of sight or in the trunk.
- Check front and rear seats, and floorboards before entering your car.
- Drive with all doors locked and windows rolled up.
- Never pick up hitchhikers. If your car breaks down, put the hood up, lock the doors, turn on the flashers, and move to the passenger seat. Do not leave your car. If someone stops to help, roll down the window slightly and ask them to call the police or a tow truck.
- Avoid underground and enclosed parking garages if possible. When parking or returning to your vehicle, carry your keys and be aware of your surroundings.
- Consider investing in a cellular telephone.
Public Transportation
- Try to use well-lighted and frequently used stops.
- Be alert to who gets off the bus or subway with you. If you feel uncomfortable, walk directly to a place where there are other people.
- Locks, Doors, and Windows
- Install and use good deadbolt locks in your doors (about half of all burglars enter through unlocked doors and windows).
Outside
- Make sure all porches, entrances, and yards are well lighted.
- Maintain the neighborhood. Litter and rundown areas attract criminals.
Key Sense
- Do not hide house keys in mail boxes, planters, or under doormats.
- Do not put personal identification on key rings.
- Leave only your ignition key with mechanics or parking attendants.
- If you lose the keys to your home or move into a new home, change the locks immediately.
Answering the Door
- Install a peephole or viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door.
- Do not trust door chains. They can be easily broken.
- Don't open the door to anyone you don't know. Insist service personnel verify their identity before allowing them in.
Answering the Telephone
- Don't give any information to "wrong number" callers.
- Check references of any person calling about a survey or credit check before offering information.
- Hang up immediately on threatening or harassing calls.
Going Away
- Make your home appear occupied when you go out.
- Leave lights on and the radio playing.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked.
- Use timing devices to turn inside lights on and off.
- If you will be gone several days, arrange to have the mail and papers stopped or picked up. Half of all home burglaries occur during the day when alert neighbors could spot and report the thieves.
GUN SAFETY
Gun Safety is the responsibility of every adult, whether or not you own a firearm. As an adult, you are responsible for properly securing your firearm. If another person is injured as a result of your negligence in properly securing a gun, you can be charged with a crime or be held civilly liable. If convicted, you could be fined or sentenced to time in prison.
What your children need to know
Children should know that guns are not toys, that guns are dangerous and can hurt people. If they see or find a gun (even if they think the gun looks like a toy), they should follow these three steps to safety:
- They should not touch or handle the gun.
- They should get away from the gun quickly, leave the area.
- They should immediately tell a trusted adult (parent, guardian, teacher or police officer) about the gun.
- It is illegal to bring weapons to school, onto school property, or into vehicles used by a school to transport students to and from school property.
