PROTECT YOURSELF

General Tips:

• Do not act or look like an easy target - look confident!
• Most "fights" are won before they start, and aggressors will back down if you maintain eye contact and are not intimidated by them.
• If you see or sense problems on your way, just change your route and - prepare to run or defend yourself
• Plan ahead. Consider your typical day. Visualize all the different environments you will be in and in what areas you'll be most vulnerable.
• Practice how you would adapt self-defense techniques in the dark, on the stairs, in the snow, on the beach, in the closet. An attacker seldom picks an environment where you have an advantage.
• If someone tries to rob you, don't resist. Give up your property. Don't give up your life.
• Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back pocket.
• Do not carry a lot of cash
• Do not carry a lot of credit cards
• Do not carry secret code numbers written down to cards (even though you might hide them).
• Never use an outside ATM machine after dark
• Do not hitchhike, use buses or taxis instead
• Have to work late? Make sure there are others in the building, and ask someone - a colleague or security guard - to walk you to your car or transit stop.
• Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.
  

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At Home:

If you were locked out of your house, would you still be able to get in? Maybe you keep an unlocked window in the back, or a hidden key in your mailbox or on top of a window ledge? You may think this is a good idea, but guess what? If you can break in, so can a burglar!

One out of ten homes will be burglarized this year. Many burglars will spend no longer than 60 seconds trying to break into a home. Good locks - and good neighbors who watch out for each other - can be big deterrents to burglars.

• Never open the door at home for visitors without positive identification.
• Have a solid door with a 'peephole' or way to view who is outside.
  
• If a stranger asks to use your telephone, offer to place the call for him or her yourself. Never let a stranger into your home.
  
• Make sure every external door has a sturdy, well-installed dead bolt lock. Key-in-the-knob locks alone are not enough.
  
• All outside doors should be metal or solid wood. Keep your yard clean. Prune back shrubbery so it doesn't hide doors or windows. Cut back tree limbs that a thief could use to climb to an upper-level window.
  
• If you travel, create the illusion that you're at home by getting some timers that will turn lights on and off in different areas of your house throughout the evening. Lights burning 24 hours a day signal an empty house.
  
• DO NOT leave a house key under a mat, in the mailbox, or in any other "hiding" area near the door. Instead, give an extra key to a neighbor you trust.
  
• If your house keys have been stolen or lost, replace the lock cylinders, immediately. When you move into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.
  
• If something looks questionable - a slit screen, a broken window or an open door - don't go in. Call the police from a neighbor's house or a public phone.
  
• At night, if you think you hear someone breaking in, leave safely if you can, then call the police. If you can't leave, lock yourself in a room with a phone and call the police. If an intruder is in your room, pretend you are asleep.
  
• Guns are responsible for many accidental deaths in the home every year. If you choose to own a gun, learn how to store it and use it safely.
  

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Clothing:

• Think about your clothing - where will it be worn? Will you be going out after work? Get into the habit of leaving restrictive clothing and shoes for those occasions when you are certain that you have no reason to anticipate danger, such as large crowds, being picked up after work or going out and so forth
  
• Choose a wardrobe, which maximizes freedom of movement. The best self-defense techniques will not help you if you cannot run away because of tight skirts or shoes with straps and high heels
  
• Do not wear conspicuous jewelry when you are walking on the streets alone
  

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Motor Vehicles:
One vehicle is stolen every 20 seconds in the United States. Stolen cars, vans, trucks, and motorcycles cost victims time and money - and increase everyone's insurance premiums. They're also often used to commit other crimes.

• Never hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers
  
• Keep the keys to your home and car separate.
  
• Always have more than 1/8 tank of gas
  
• Avoid always using the same gas station
  
• Copy your tag number and vehicle identification number (VIN) on a card and keep them with your driver's license. Keep the registration with you, not in the car.
  
• Never leave valuables in plain view, even if the car is locked. Put them in the trunk or out of sight.
  
• Danger areas are stepping out of your car either at home or in isolated areas, and also walking to your car
  
• Even if you're rushed, look around before you get in or out and stay alert to the surroundings.
  
• Never leave your car unlocked, even for the few minutes it may take you to return a video, buy milk and so forth. Attackers have been known to lie in wait for such an opportunity
  
• Always approach your vehicle with the keys ready
  
• Always check your car before entering
  
• Park in well-lighted areas, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters, woods, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility.
  
• Always be alert in parking lots, especially when it's dark. If you are afraid, don't be too shy to ask someone to escort you to your car. Between cars and inside cars, it's easy for someone to hide and wait until an unalert person comes along.
  
• Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up (at least part of the way, if it's hot and you don't have air conditioning), no matter how short the distance or how safe the neighborhood. *Please note that this conflicts with quick entering and exit procedures in the event of an accident
  
• When you're coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away.
  
• Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out fliers. Trust your instincts - if something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors, and drive away.
  
• Drive in the center lane to make it harder for would-be carjackers to approach the car.
  
• Never get into a car even if someone is pointing a knife or a handgun at you from inside. Just start to run away from the car screaming at the same time. It's much more likely that they will drive away to find an easier target than attacking or killing you.
  
• 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. Get away from the area as quickly as possible. Try to remember what the carjacker looked like - sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes.
  
• Never pull your car over from a quiet road even if someone drives alongside your car pointing at the tires etc. Always continue driving to a well-lit and crowded area before exiting your car. The problem might be a bluff and the driver wants you to stop at the side of the road to "help" you without a reason.
  
• If you think someone is following you, don't head home. Drive to the nearest police or fire station, gas station, or other open business to get help.
  

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Public Transportation :

• Stay alert! Don't doze or daydream
• There is usually safety in numbers. Use a busy and well-lighted bus stop to get on and off a bus. If you must wait, stay in a coffee shop, near the attendant's stand or in a well-lighted area
  
• Have your exact fare ready before you leave your home, office or a store. This way you won't have to fumble for your money at the fare box or display extra cash
  
• After peak hours, always choose the train compartment carrying the most passengers or the compartment directly behind the train driver
  
• On buses, sit behind the driver or next to the door for quick exit
  
• Don't choose the window seat as you may be "blocked in" by a potential assailant; always choose an aisle seat for quick exit
  
• Observe the behavior of those around you. If you feel uneasy or threatened, change your seat or alert the conductor of driver
  
• Be wary of noisy passengers arguing or causing a commotion. This could be staged to distract you while others are trying to steal your valuables
  
• Keep your belongings on your lap if possible
  
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry
  
• Watch who gets off with you. If you feel uneasy, walk directly to a place where there are other people

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Taxis:

• Avoid flagging taxis from the street
  
• Always order taxis so that the driver can be traced
  
• Take a business card with you when you go out with the phone number of a reputable minicab or a taxi company, and phone for the cab when you need it. Alternatively, walk to a nearby minicab office to order a cab
  
• If you are at a club, pub or restaurant and do not have the number of a cab company, ask staff if they can recommend one
  
• Use an established taxi company. Independent, non-licensed drivers are not obliged to follow industry regulations. If you can't distinguish a legit company from a fraudulent one, inquire at the airport information desk or your hotel's concierge desk
  
• Whenever possible, ask for the driver's name, make and color of car. If necessary, ask to be phoned back
  
• If you are going to a friend's house, phone to let them know that you've ordered a cab, where you've ordered it from and the name of the company so that they know when to expect you and how to trace you if you're late
  
• Try not to let anyone overhear you ordering a cab - if they hear your name and destination, they may pretend to be the cab you've ordered
  
• Do not approach a car that you think is your cab - they should approach you
  
• Always check the identification of the driver (usually located near the visor) and ensure that it matches the driver. Make sure it identifies the driver as being from the company you rang to order the car. Ask the driver the name and destination he has been given to check he is your driver - do not, for example, ask if he is picking up Cindy for San Diego as anyone could confirm that they are there to pick up Cindy from San Diego. Don't get into a cab you haven't ordered
  
• Don't sit directly behind the driver, as it may be easy for the driver to lock the rear passenger door - always choose the adjacent seat
  
• Be wary of cars with central locking
  
• Have the driver wait until you are safely inside your destination
  

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Walkers / Joggers:

• Plan your outing. Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Tell friends and family of your favorite exercise routes
  
• Stick to well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys
  
• Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Especially avoid poorly lighted areas at night
  
• If you can avoid it, do not walk at night without any company
  
• Exercise in familiar areas. Know which businesses or stores are open. Know where telephones are located along the course
  
• Regularly change your routines
  
• Mark out houses at intervals on each route you take that may be used as "safe houses" in the event of attack such as shops or houses that you know to be occupied by a friend or acquaintance. Try to incorporate these houses every time you vary your route
  
• Don't presume that because your area has been "safe" thus far, that it will continue to be so
  
• Wear an identification tag or carry a driver's license. If you don't have a place to carry your ID, write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside of your athletic shoe. Include any medical information
  
• Run or walk with a partner or a dog
  
• Don't use a "walkman" when walking in isolated areas at any time
  
• Consider carrying a cellular phone
  
• Don't wear jewelry or carry cash
  
• Wear reflective material
  
• Stay alert at all times. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are
  
• Watch the road: Wet or icy spots are considerably harder to see in the dark
  
• Run clear of parked cars or bushes
  
• Always walk against the traffic so that you can see what is coming
  
• If shadowed by a car, run back in the direction from which you came. If you continue in the same direction, you will make it easy for the shadowing to continue
  
• Be wary of alert passengers
  
• Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving
  
• Have your door key ready before you reach your home
  
• Be alert at all times!

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Defense against dogs:
Your impulse may be to run, but this can trigger a chase instinct in dogs.

• Stand still and attempt to be calm
  
• Don't scream at the dog and run
  
• Look in the dog's direction but don't stare into its eyes as this can be considered a challenge by an aggressive dog
  
• Let the dog sniff you
  
• Stay still until the dog leaves
  
• Back away slowly until it is out of sight
  
• If a dog does attack, try to FEED it your workout jacket or other item of clothing
  
• If you are knocked down or fall, curl into a ball and keep your hands over your ears and face.
• Try not to scream or roll around
  

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Telephones:
The commission of threatening, harassing or obscene phone calls is a misdemeanor. Penalties increase with the frequency of such calls and the location of the victim when receiving calls (i.e. workplace). Relief may include temporary restraining orders, injunctions or other court orders.

• Don't give information about yourself to strangers over the telephone, and don't admit that you are alone.
  
• List your name and number in the phone book without listing your address.
  
• Keep emergency numbers near the telephone.
  
• Hang up on obscene phone callers.
  
• A telephone call can be just as personal as a face to face conversation. You are not obligated to answer any questions.
  
• Beware of strangers who call and ask personal questions for purposes such as a survey. It is your phone service and time. If you do not want to talk simply say so.
  
• If the caller is rude enough not to let you go then hang up!
  
• If the caller makes obscene or suggestive remarks, hang up! The caller would like nothing better than to have you demand to know who it is or ask repeatedly of what the caller wants.
  
• If the caller remains silent after you answer, hang up! Don't let the caller know if he or she has succeeded in upsetting you.
  
• When you are calling from a public telephone, after dialing the numbers always turn around so that you have your back to the phone and may see what is coming. You will then be able to tell the person to whom you are speaking that you may be in trouble and you may be able to use the weight of the phone as a weapon.
  

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