Staying Safe at Home: Choosing A Safe Neighborhood

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Staying Safe At Home: Choosing A Safe Neighborhood

Of course criminals know how to get around, and crime can and does happen anywhere, not just in bad neighborhoods. So after you’ve started being more aware of the high risk areas where you live, what else can you do to reduce the risks to your personal safety in your every day life? Let’s start at home, where you should be safer than anywhere else in the world. If you’re looking for a place to buy or rent, get to know the neighborhood first. Research the crime stats and talk to people who actually live there. Drive around and observe how people actually live. Are lawns and homes well maintained, or are they in disrepair? Poor upkeep of these things usually goes hand in hand with dangerous neighborhoods. Neglect and apathy feed over into all areas of life. Is there a strong police presence in the neighborhood, and are the policed admired and respected by the inhabitants? If not, then it would be unwise to settle down there. These are important indicators of what kind of people you‘ll be living around, so pay attention to the signs. You’ll also want to look for signs of active community involvement. Crime can’t thrive, at least not for long, in a neighborhood full of involved, concerned residents. There’s no hard and fast way to tell if the area is safe or not. You’ve got to weigh all these factors and then make up your own mind. But if you wouldn’t feel safe there at night, you shouldn’t live there.

Staying Safe At Home: Organizing Neighborhood Watches

No matter where you choose to live, there are a great many things you can do to make it a safer place for you and your family. One of the best ways of keeping your home and family safe is community action against crime and suspicious activity. If there’s a neighborhood watch program, volunteer and be an active member. If there isn’t one, take it upon yourself to organize one. Your police department should have resources and materials available to help you. In addition, the library and book stores will also have information on organizing and running a neighborhood watch program. There is also lots of information available on the internet. You should also get to know your neighbors. You don’t have to be a spy or a snoop, but you should know who belongs there and who doesn’t, as well as the hours your neighbors tend to keep. That way you’ll know what’s “normal” and what’s out of place. If anything looks suspicious, don’t be bashful about calling the police. That’s what they’re there for. Your personal safety is more important than the chance that the cops will just think you’re a busybody, or a nosy neighbor. Odds are they won’t, and they’ll appreciate you being on their side in the fight against crime. They can’t be everywhere at once, so they depend on concerned citizens to keep them informed. If crime has been increasing lately where you live, consult with law enforcement authorities about a citizen patrol program.

Staying Safe At Home: Citizen Patrols

Citizen patrols are the next step up after neighborhood watch programs in the community fight against crime. With citizen patrols, residents volunteer to actually go out and walk or drive around and patrol the neighborhood in small groups for a few hours a week, usually at night. They don’t have any more authority to arrest or detain anyone than a regular citizen does, but their mere presence has a strong deterrent effect on crime. Although there’s nothing illegal about people doing this on their own, it’s best to coordinate with the police or sheriff, and in many communities citizen patrol programs are already organized. So check with them, and see what the requirements are for participating if they already have a program in place. If not, see what it would take to get one going with their blessing and sanction. If you do volunteer for a citizen patrol program, be advised that you wind up in potentially dangerous situations where your personal safety is at risk. If you’re comfortable with that, and if crime has gotten so out of hand where you live that you think it’s worth it, you’ll be doing a big part in the fight against crime. But just be aware of what you’re getting into.

Staying Safe At Home: Doors and Locks

What changes or improvements can you make to your own home to prevent being a victim of crime there? If you’re like most people, there are certainly some things you can do to increase your personal safety at home that you haven’t thought of. We’ll discuss some of these. Unlike many safety precautions in other areas of life, making your home safer from crime might entail spending some money. But if it keeps you and your family from harm, it’s well worth the investment. First off, you should never open the door for anyone unless you’re certain of who they are. Criminals are brazen and often ingenious. They can come up with all sorts of believable stories to get you to open the door and allow them into your home. Don’t be fooled. If someone claims to need help, volunteer to call the police, an ambulance, a tow truck, or whatever they need. But if you don’t know them, don’t let them in your house. Instill this habit early in you children, and reinforce it constantly. They’re naturally trusting of adults, and criminals know this and will use it to their advantage. For this same reason, all doors that open to the outside should have a wide angle viewer, or “peephole”, installed. They’re not expensive, and usually only require a drill to install. If you’ve got a flimsy or worn out door, replace it with a heavier, stronger model as soon as possible. And don’t neglect the frame – locks are no stronger than the doors and frames they fit in. If you’ve got a door frame that’s weak, the door can easily be kicked in. The best locks for home safety are deadbolts, and every door on your house should have one. Other types of locks are just too weak, and don’t offer much protection. Also keep your garage door closed as much as possible, and always be sure it’s closed when there’s no one in or near it. Never leave it open over night.

Staying Safe At Home: Windows, Lighting and Security Systems

Your second line of personal safety defense in the home is your windows. Make sure they’re strong, the frames are in good shape, and they can be locked securely. If not, invest in newer, stronger models. Take particular notice of sliding glass doors. These are notoriously insecure. Make sure they have strong locks, and are wedged shut when not open. Good outside lighting is essential, as criminals don’t like to be seen. Install motion activated lights around your house and driveway. A security system can also be an excellent investment. You’ll need to do some research to find the best one for your situation, and check with the local police for their policy on false alarms. More and more police departments are starting to charge homeowners for false alarm calls, and with a faulty system that can be costly. And always go with a well-known, reputable company who does background checks on their installers. You don’t want somebody installing a security system, then coming back and using his knowledge of your system to rob you. These are the best things you can do to enhance your personal safety at home. They do cost money, but they’re worth it. And, as always, don’t let your security measures cause you to let down your guard. Always be aware – that’s the most important safety tip of all, no matter where you are.

Use Common Sense to Remain Safe While Out

How about being safe while shopping, driving, jogging, and doing things around town? There are many hazards to be aware of, but just like in every other situation there are a great many things you can do to increase your personal safety. You can never reduce the risk to absolute zero, but you can greatly minimize the chances of being a victim. As always, when you are out and about there is safety in numbers. Whether you’re going to the mall, heading out for a night of entertainment, or taking an afternoon stroll, it’s always best if you’re accompanied by others. It’s safer and you’ll have more fun. One factor in personal safety that seems to be rapidly on the decline is plain old common sense. Let’s face it – there are certain situations, especially for women, that are just downright dangerous, and you should never let yourself wind up in them. Recently, there have been several horror stories in the national news concerning women who have disappeared or been killed after drinking heavily in public, usually alone. Truly, no one ever deserves to be physically attacked, but there are lots of bad people in the world and we have to accept that unpleasant fact and deal with it. No one should ever drink large quantities of alcohol, especially in public because that sort of thing is bound to lead to trouble. No one should ever be drinking heavily alone, and it’s never wise for women to be out alone late at night, drinking or not. Anytime you’re at a club or party that serves alcohol you’ll need to be extra cautious. If the crowd seems particularly rowdy, it’s best to excuse yourself before trouble begins.

Other Common Sense Ways to Remain Safe

Another common sense principle is to always have at least half a tank of gas, especially at night. Any time you’re broken down on the side of the road you’re susceptible to being victimized, so avoid running out of gas. Anytime you get below half a tank, stop and fill up. You’re going to need the gas anyway, so why wait? And it’s a good idea to keep your windows up and doors locked as much as possible when driving in areas you’re unfamiliar with. When out jogging or walking it’s a good idea to have a whistle or alarm on your person. There’s nothing an attacker hates worse than attention. And if you’re ever attacked, personal safety experts recommend you yell “Fire!” not “Help!” Many people will try to avoid getting involved if they think there’s a crime being committed, but if they think there’s a fire, they’ll come out to see what’s going on.

Choose Friends Wisely

You need to use your discretion when choosing your friends. Being attacked by a complete stranger is statistically pretty rare. In most crimes, the victim either knew well or was acquainted with the criminal. So be careful who you associate with, and know the types of people they associate with. If your friend starts hanging around a rough crowd or bringing shady characters into your social circle, it’s time to find a new friend. Sure, have a heart-to-heart talk with them first, but if they refuse to change their ways, cut them loose. Your personal safety is more important than their feelings.

Self-Defense: Weapons

One more thing to think about when it comes to personal safety is self defense. Most experts say that in the event that you’re robbed or carjacked, you should not resist the criminal. However, this doesn’t address situations where you’re being physically assaulted or taken somewhere against your will. You should never let a criminal take you anywhere, and you should resist as violently as you can. Your odds of surviving are much greater if you can escape. There are products you can carry on your person, such as pepper spray, that can effectively disable an attacker when used properly. If you’re going to carry a spray, check the laws in your state and make sure you know how to use it. Many states now have laws that allow citizens to carry concealed weapons. Should you apply for a concealed carry license? Many people have strong feelings about carrying a gun, and we’re not encouraging anyone to do so that’s opposed to it. That’s a personal safety decision only you can make. If you do, you’ll want to make sure you take classes in safe gun operation. Many times these are required for the issuance of a permit. You’ll also want to follow the law closely, as violating gun laws can mean prison. And if you do get a concealed carry license, be extremely careful when crossing state lines. Some states honor the permits of other states, but many do not, and you could be violating their laws by carrying a gun. Finally, don’t ever pull your gun out unless you’re prepared to use it, as the odds are high that the criminal will attempt to take it and use it against you.

Self-Defense: Classes

Another option is self defense classes. These are very popular and come in many forms. There are even some classes that are for women only. Many of them involve learning some form of martial arts, such as karate, judo, or jiu jitsu. In some cities the police department will have classes on the basics of using force to maintain your personal safety. Others are taught at karate studios, YMCAs and YWCAs, and even local community colleges. There are endless variations and if you’re interested you should investigate several different self defense options. You’ll no doubt find something that interests you and suits your personal style. No matter what choices you make when it comes to self defense, remember that the most important steps you can take to enhance your personal safety are being aware, being alert, and avoiding people and areas where you’re likely to encounter problems. It’s good to know a form of self defense and carrying some form of protection can give you an added level of security, but don’t forget the personal safety basics, and hopefully you’ll never need to use either one.

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