1.                  Be alert when out and about  

Ø      Go with friends of family, not alone.

Ø      Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.

Ø      Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pant pockets.

Ø      Don’t carry credit cards when you don’t need them.

Ø      Don’t carry large amounts of money, if not needed.

Ø      Whether a passenger or driver, keep car doors locked. Be particularly alert in parking lots and garages. Park near an entrance.

Ø      Sit close to the driver or near the exit while riding the bus or train.

Ø      If someone or something makes you uneasy, trust your instincts and leave.  

2.                  Make your home safe and secure  

Ø      Install good locks on doors and windows. Use them.

Ø      Don’t hide keys in mailboxes and planters or under doormats. Instead, leave an extra set of keys with a neighbour or friend.

Ø      Ask for photo identification from service or delivery people before letting them in. If you are not satisfied, call the company to verify.

Ø      Be sure your street address number is large, clear of obstruction, and well-lit so that Police and other emergency personnel can find your home quickly.

Ø      Have a home alarm system that provides monitoring for burglary, fire and medical emergencies.  

3.                  While Walking/Shopping  

Ø      Stay alert when you are on the street, in your own neighbourood, and even at your own door.

Ø      Avoid walking at night, especially alone. If you must walk at night, stay in well-lit, open areas and walk close to street lights.

Ø      Day or night, stay away from dark alleys, dark parking lots, and dark corners.

Ø      Day or night, walk with a friend, if possible. Both men and women are safer in the company of someone else.

Ø      If anyone bothers you while you are out walking, ignore him or her.  Don’t engage in conversation or try to be polite. If they persist, tell them in a loud voice, showing anger, to leave you alone. A simple defence against this sort of aggravation would be a loud whistle or scream.  Based on this, you may want to carry a whistle with you.

Ø      If you are followed, run to the nearest place where you can find people. Don’t be afraid to knock on somebody’s door.

Ø      Don’t be a flashy dresser going out with expensive Jewellery or other items of value.

4.                  Don’t Carry a purse !  

Ø      This one action can cut your chances to a larger extent of being robbed. Not having a purse can remove the strongest attraction for a crime of opportunity thief. Purses are easily snatched when you are carrying them.  Also, it’s easy to place a purse in a grocery cart, at a casino or a beauty salon, where it can easily be stolen.

Ø      If you insist on carrying a purse, put money, credit cards, and /or your wallet in an inside pocket of your clothing or some place other than in your purse.

Ø      Don’t carry a lot of cash than you need.    

5.                  Keys  

Ø      Carry keys in a pocket, not in a purse. If your purse is stolen, you will still have your keys.

Ø      Don’t put your name or address on your keys, because if they are stolen or lost, the thief will know where you live.  

6.                  While dealing in Bank  

Ø      Have monthly pension cheques and any other regular payments directly deposited to your bank account. This not only removes your exposure to potential theft but also saves you an errand.

Ø      If you go to the bank often, don’t go at the same time each day.  Add some variation to your schedule.

Ø      If anyone steps behind you at an ATM, step away-say: “You go first, I forgot my card.”

Ø      If you are approached by a robber, hand over any cash you have. Hand over your purse if you are carrying one.  Don’t resist the robbery because you risk injury to yourself.

Ø      Carry as little cash as possible and carry credit cards in a concealed coat or chest pocket.

Ø      For a woman wit a purse, carry it close to the body, preferably in front. If the purse has a clasp, cover it with your hand.  Don’t wrap the strap the purse around your wrist. Never leave a purse unattended.

Ø      If you carry both packages and a purse, put the purse between your body and the packages.

Ø      Avoid carrying a wallet in back or side pocket.  

7.                  While Driving  

Ø      Drive with the car windows up and all the doors locked.

Ø      Keep car in a good operating condition.

Ø      Never allow your petrol tank to get below half full.

Ø      If you have trouble with your car, stay inside with windows and doors locked.

Ø      If you have a vehicle problem, stay in the vehicle,.  If someone comes by to help, write down on the envelope a number for him or her to call for you.  Open the window a crack and slide the envelope through to them, asking them to make the call.

Ø      Avoid driving alone at night, if possible. It is safer to drive at night with someone you know.

Ø      For safety reasons, people who live alone should go to the store with a friend and arrange to do their grocery shopping together. Riding to the store wit someone else helps both of you.  

8.                  At the door step  

Ø      When someone knocks at your door, don’t open it unless  you know your visitor.

Ø      Have a through –the-door viewer installed on each exterior door.

Ø      If the person is a representative, salesman etc., ask that identification and credentials to be  slipped under the door or through the mail slot. Call the employer to verify the name and business. Refuse to deal with anyone who won’t comply with this request.

Ø      Someone may knock at your door and ask to use your telephone to make an emergency call.  Never open the door. Take the message and make the call for them.

Ø      If someone comes to your door who do not trust or who you believe might be dangerous, call the local police department immediately.  

9.                  When returning home  

Ø      If you, find your door ajar or if you hear unusual sounds inside, DON’T GO IN!

Ø      Go to the nearest telephone and call your local police or PCR Van.

Ø      DO NOT resist or fight with an intruder.

Ø      When the intruder leaves, call the local police immediately.  

10.              While receiving Telephone Call  

Ø      If a telephone call is obscene, hang up the telephone but don’t slam the  receiver down.

Ø      If a telephone call is threatening, contact the local police immediately.

Ø      Never allow yourself to be drawn into a conversation with an unknown caller in which you reveal your name, address, marital status or anything to indicate you are alone.

Ø      Don’t let a caller know you are angry or upset. This is the reaction they want and will often encourage them.

Ø      Don’t play detective and extend the call attempting to find our who is calling.  This may be the reaction the caller wants or needs.

11.              If a robber attempts to snatch your purse.  

Ø      Don’t resist.

Ø      Give a robber what he wants.

Ø      Set down to avoid injury.

Ø      Observe the robber as closely as possible to get a description for the police.

Ø      Never pursue the attacker.

Ø      After sitting down, make noise by calling for help.

Ø      Carry a whistle and blow it repeatedly.  

12.              While Walking  

Ø      Plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings.

Ø      Never exhibit or flash large sums of cash or other valuables.

Ø      If you must walk at night, choose the busiest and best-lit streets.

Ø      Walk with a companion, whenever possible.

Ø      Greet familiar people, merchants and vendor.

Ø      Stay away from buildings and walk next to the street.

Ø      Avoid dark places, short cuts, alleys, thick trees and shrubs and sparsely traveled areas.

Ø      Be wary of strangers who attempt to start meaningless or odd conversations.  

13.              When using Public Transportation.  

Ø      Don’t wait alone at a bus stop for longer than necessary.

Ø      Carry exact change in your hand.

Ø      Stand in view of other passengers.

Ø      When arriving by taxi, ask the driver to wait until you are inside before driving away.