Personal
Safety - Street Safety
Street
crime is on the increase in most large U.S. cities. It is
also becoming more prevalent in small communities. The following
list of "safeguards" will help protect you - and
may even save your life!
1. When
leaving home, make sure that all doors and windows are locked
- including the garage door.
2. Watch
for loiterers and do not carry large sums of money.
3. If
possible, travel with another person. This is especially true
after dark.
4. Don't
carry more than a few dollars in your wallet or purse. Credit
cards, currency, driver's license, keys and jewelry should
be carried in a coat or sweater pocket or concealed on your
person to reduce the opportunity of large losses.
5. If
you carry a purse, don't wrap the strap around your shoulder,
neck or wrist. If your purse is grabbed, a strong strap will
not yield easily and you may be injured. Some purse snatch
victims have been thrown off balance & received concussions,
broken hips, arms or legs.
6. At
night, travel only well-lighted and well- traveled streets.
7. Never
hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
8. Walk
on the side of the street nearest to oncoming traffic. If
accosted by someone in a car, run in the direction opposite
the way the car is headed.
9. Beware
of people who approach asking directions; keep a polite but
safe distance.
10. A
good suggestions for men is to carry a second wallet containing
a few $1.00 bills and old expired credit cards that are normally
destroyed or discarded. If confronted at knife or gunpoint,
give the suspect the second wallet and concentrate on a good
physical description to help the police in making the arrest.
11. Upon
returning home, particularly after dark, do not linger at
the entrance of your residence. Make a quick check for mail
or newspapers, and enter immediately. If you feel something
is strange, don't enter but go elsewhere and call for police
assistance.
12. If
you feel someone is following you, go to the nearest occupied
residence or building, and ask for assistance.
13. A
good personal alarm can help alert others of your situation,
and may well send a potential attacker fleeing before others
come to your aid.
14. To
quickly get the attention of other people, try yelling "FIRE!
FIRE!" instead of "Help!" You can have a mob
of people around you in no time. Obviously, don't try this
unless you are truly in serious danger.
15. Learn
self-defense techniques. Whether you take a local martial
arts class or you learn simple but effective non-martial arts
techniques from the comfort of your home, the skills and confidence
you gain can greatly aid in ensuring your safety.
16. Carry
self-defense products to deter aggressive assailants.
