Home Security
No. 2
Many criminals will spend no longer than 60 seconds to try breaking into a home. And almost 50% of burglars enter homes or property through unlocked doors or windows.
Wooden exterior doors have either Solid Core or Hollow Core construction. Solid Core Doors and Metal Doors provide the greatest security. They are able to withstand attacks by burglars, and are best suited for installation of good locks. If you are unsure of the construction of your door, have a professional check it for you.
Exterior doors should have a dead bolt lock with a minimum 1½ inch strong metal bar extending into the frame. The screws of the strike plate should measure at least three inches in length, to extend into the frame of the house. The cylinder should have a steel guard around the key section.
Install a wide-angle lens viewer in the front door – and USE it! This permits you to see someone standing outside your door without opening it. Door chains are not security devices.
Remember: "An unlocked door is an invitation for criminals."
Weapons Safety
No. 3
With proper precautions, weapons can be handled safely. Without good safety practices, guns in the home can be deadly. Studies have indicated that a firearm in the home is more than forty times as likely to hurt or kill a family member as to stop a crime.
An estimated 1.2 million elementary-aged, latchkey children have access to guns in their homes. The average hospital bill for treating a gunshot wound on a child is over $14,000.
If you choose to own firearms make sure of the following:
Firearms should be stored safely, inaccessible to children and untrained adults. That means unloaded, trigger-locked, and in a locked gun safe, gun case, or personal gun locker, with ammunition locked separately. Keep keys out of reach of children and away from weapons and ammunition. Check regularly and often, to maintain secure storage.
Obtain training from a certified instructor in firearms safety for everyone in the home. Make sure it’s kept current.
Teach your children what to do if they find a firearm or a possible weapon: Stop, Don’t Touch, Get Away and Tell a Trusted Adult.
The only safe use of a firearm depends on common sense and proper training of the user. No set of rules can cover every potential situation. Firearm safety depends on YOU!
When using ATM’s:
First of all, try to use the automated teller machines in the daylight. Never use an isolated ATM or one where people are loitering. Try to avoid ATM’s on the corners of buildings, these provide good hiding places for thieves. Trust your instincts, if the situation doesn’t feel right, leave immediately. Even if you have already started a transaction, cancel it and leave.
If you have to use an ATM at night: Take someone with you. Park close to the machine in a well-lighted area and lock your car. ALL ATM’s should be well lighted.
Always have your ATM card in hand, and any paperwork filled out before approaching an ATM. Complete any forms prior to leaving your home/work. Keep spare deposit tickets and envelopes with you for this reason.
When using an ATM machine, treat your ATM card as though it were cash.
Memorize your access code, don’t write it down or carry it with you.
Don’t allow anyone to see your PIN (Personal Identification Number). Never give it out.
Use your body as a shield to block others from watching you type your access code.
When making a cash withdrawal, immediately remove the cash as soon as the machine releases it. Put the cash in your pocket, finish the transaction quickly, get to your car and wait until you are in a secure location before counting your money.
Never accept offers of assistance from strangers; ask bank personnel.
If using a drive-up ATM, make sure all of your doors are locked and the windows up.
Always take your receipt. NEVER leave it at the site. Many times it has your account number on it or can otherwise provide information to gain access to your account.
Always consider going to another machine if your instincts tell you something is not right.
Apr 26 1999
Internet Safety
No. 5
The Internet is a new world of communication and information. You can teach your child to use computers safely, or you can learn about computers together.
As with anything else, there is a wide variety of dangers awaiting the unsuspecting, from pedophiles to con-artists that can be a threat to children and adults. Although it is impossible to know everything that is on the Internet, adults should at least be aware that anything can be found on the Internet.
Choose a proper location for the computer in your home. Consider putting the computer in the family room where it is in the open and you can easily monitor information that is reaching your child. The time they spend online should be monitored as well. Being near a child while online may encourage them to let you know when they find something scary or threatening. Consider obtaining software that can block unwanted material and Internet sites.
Set aside time to explore the Internet with children. If your child has some computer experience, let them take the lead. Visit areas of the World Wide Web that have special sites for children.
Many of the dangers that face children on the Internet are in chat rooms. There is no way of being able to tell who is on the other computer talking with your child.
You should also follow the same rules in cyberspace as you do in everyday life to protect yourself against fraud. If you are an online consumer and don’t have encryption software, consider calling the company you are ordering from, and paying by check.
If you receive offensive e-mails or pornographic material, save it and contact the
user's Internet service provider and your local law enforcement agency immediately.
May 3, 1999
Personal Safety
No. 6
Many people overlook the possibility of a crime occurring to them while they are in their vehicle. When driving please follow these guidelines:
Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there is enough gas to get where you are going and back.
Know your route of travel ahead of time. Stay away from deserted areas and avoid driving through high crime areas.
Never pick up hitchhikers.
Park in a well-lighted, busy location. Be especially alert in lots and underground parking garages.
If you spot a stranded motorist, don’t stop. Go to the nearest phone and call the police.
If you have car trouble, raise your hood and turn your emergency flashers on. Stay inside your car and lock the doors.
When you go out, be sure to let someone know your destination, route and expected time of arrival.
If you think you are being followed by another car, do not go home. Drive to the nearest police station, or open business. Do not get out of your car. Use your horn to summon help.
When you are coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other cards.
If a carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car. Don’t argue. Your life is worth more than a car.
Home Security
No. 7
If an exterior door contains a glass panel or is near a window, there are two things you can do. The locks should be placed at least 40 inches away from the glass panel or other potential openings such as a mail slot. Or you should install a double-cylinder dead bolt lock which requires a key to unlock it from either side of the door. These methods will prevent a burglar from reaching inside to unlock the door after breaking the glass.
Caution: When using double cylinder locks, the key should be left in the interior lock at all times, or very near the door, when someone is home. (this is necessary to ensure a key is available to permit an easy exit in the event of a fire or other emergency). So make sure ALL persons can operate the lock in case of an emergency.
Doors which swing open to the outside sometimes have exposed hinges in easy reach of the burglar. These doors can be secured by the "hinge pinning" technique:
This will help prevent a burglar from removing the door to your home to get inside.
Driver Awareness
No. 8
Go Right for Lights and Sirens
Everyday emergency vehicles respond to urgent requests for service from the public. The call may be for anything from an armed hold-up in progress to a baby who has stopped breathing. Minimum response time by emergency services is absolutely essential. The difference between life and death could be the precious moments lost while on the way to an emergency.
The largest problem emergency vehicles face, is getting to the scene of an emergency. As a motorist it is your responsibility to yield the right of way when approached by an emergency vehicle with its red lights flashing or siren sounding. That is to pull to the right and stop … completely.
Here are some Go Right Rules …
Traffic in BOTH directions must pull to the right and stop.
When approaching intersections, go right and stop BEFORE you get in the intersection. ALWAYS yield to an emergency vehicle making a left turn.
In heavy traffic, you must pull as close to the curb as possible. Or if in the left-hand lane, you must pull as close to the right lane as possible.
Left turns must be halted, but do not block the intersection. Usually you should proceed straight through the intersection, then to the right and stop.
If you see an emergency vehicle pulling out of its station, you should pull over and stop before it even gets on the road.
Always be sure ALL vehicles have passed before proceeding.
Remember, "When you see the lights, go right."
Bicycle Safety
No. 9
Wear a Helmet! Wear a helmet EVERY time you ride a bicycle.
Approximately 75% of fatal bicycle accidents are from head injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that bicyclists wear a helmet that complies with Standards of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or Snell.
Helmets should fit snugly, and extra padding if necessary. If your helmet has been hit or in an accident, it should be replaced.
See and be seen! It’s very important to wear the right clothing. You should always wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see you better. Fluorescent colors can be seen well in the daytime but at night you should use reflective clothing and reflectors.
If at all possible, avoid riding a bicycle at night. If you ride at night, use well-lighted streets and a lighting system mounted on your bicycle.
Parents should identify a safe route for children to ride by bicycling or walking the route with your child. Ride frequently with your child to assure they are following traffic regulations and practicing safe riding skills.
ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings and be alert for oncoming and turning cars.
Home Security
No. 10
Summer is coming quickly and people are outside enjoying the sun. So are the thieves! Don’t make it easy for a thief to make your home a crime scene.
Outside: Make sure your home is well lighted, trim back shrubbery and tree limbs to prevent someone from climbing into a second story window.
Don’t hide keys outside the home, thieves will take an extra few seconds to look under plants and doormats. Give a key to a trusted neighbor instead, in case you lock yourself out. Don’t put any personal identification on key chains.
Don’t open the door to anyone you do not know without first identifying them.
If you leave your home, make it look occupied with as least difference as possible as if you were there. Keep your garage door closed and locked. Tell a trusted neighbor or friend when you will be returning.
If working in the yard, lock all doors that you will not be monitoring to keep someone from sneaking inside while you are busy.
Make sure house numbers are clearly visible from the street. Store expensive items that are seldom used in a safe deposit box. Teach your children not to give out personal information to anyone, in person or over the phone.
Get together with neighbors to start a neighborhood watch in your neighborhood. You will be uniting with others to watch for suspicious activity and report it to police. Check with elderly or handicapped neighbors to ensure they have proper locks and are also taking safety precautions this summer.
