Safety Basics

• Everything we do and everywhere we go, we are taking a risk of some kind. You may see no danger in an activity, but someone else may see the risk and take precautions. Kids learn about risks by falling off bunk bed or touching a hot stove, and then adjusting their behaviors accordingly.
  
  

In the Home

• Secure all your doors and windows with quality locks. Have adequate lighting at all your entrances. Don't let your front yard bushes overgrow where someone could hide behind them. Check the ID of any suspicious repairmen who come to your door. Never let strangers into your home to use the phone, make the call for them. Do not give personal information to telephone solicitors.
  Have at least one ABC fire extinguisher in your house. Do not overload the electrical outlets on a power strip. Store flammable liquids in an approved container, and ideally in a metal cabinet in a storage shed away from the home. Secure poisonous cleaning supplies by locking them in a cabinet where children cannot access them. Keep the Poison Control Centers phone number nearby in case of an emergency.
  
  

In the Car

• Properly maintain your car, make sure you have enough air in the tires and always have at least one-fourth of a tank of gas. Plan your route of travel ahead of time, and monitor media broadcasts for any traffic delays or hazards. Check the area around and inside your car before you get inside. Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up for added security.
  Do not pick up hitchhikers. Do not leave valuables in plain sight in your car. Park in well lighted, heavily traveled areas. If you believe someone has intentionally run into your vehicle, lock your doors and put on your emergency flashers. Contact the police and wait for their arrival.
  
  

On the Street

• If you are walking, walk facing oncoming traffic, so you will not be pulled into someone's car. If possible, walk with a friend, especially at night. Do not wear headphones when walking or jogging. Pay attention to those around you and walk assertively. Take a cell phone with you in case you need to call for help.
  Tell someone where you're going and when you are expected back. Take smaller amounts of cash and only a few credit cards, in case you are robbed. If you carry a purse with a strap you can hold it snug to your body and at the same time take your other hand and grasp the top of your strap for extra safety. If your purse is snatched, you might want to let it go so you are not harmed. Do not overload your hands with too many shopping bags, making it hard for you to defend yourself from an attacker. Always dress conservatively and know the reputation of the area you are visiting.