PERSONAL SAFETY
At Home (back to top)
Do outside chores before dark; jog, walk the dog or take the trash out during daylight. Report all harassing phone calls to law enforcement.
Do not talk to the caller. Just hang up!
Have good locks. Use them when you are home and when
you are away. Before you open the door, identify who is at the door. Don’t open the door for anyone you don’t know or are not expecting. If you are expecting company look through a window or peephole to see who is there. If the person is requesting to use your telephone, take the number and make the call yourself. Don’t let someone fool you just because they look harmless (i.e. little old woman)
YOU DON’T HAVE TO OPEN YOUR DOOR TO ANYONE
UNLESS YOU WANT THEM INSIDE.
When Away From Home (back to top)
• If you have a cell phone, carry it at all times.
• Be aware. If any person or place makes you feel uneasy, leave
at once.
• If people in a car bother you, turn around and go the other way. If
the driver follows or harasses you, get the tag number and call 911.
• If someone follows you on foot, cross the street and walk/run faster.
If the person does the same, go to the nearest open store/ business
or home that looks occupied, and call 911.
• When you call for help, yell “Fire”! You’ll get more attention.
• Avoid walking alone, especially at night.
• If you must walk alone, stay away from doorways, bushes and alleys
(possible hiding places), empty lots, parks, beaches, or unpopulated
areas (no one can hear you call for help).
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF PEOPLE AROUND YOU!!
Using Public Transportation (back to top)
• Wait in well-lighted areas, near other people.
• Travel with somebody else.
• Sit near the driver.
• If someone follows you off, hurry to the nearest group of people or
well-lighted area and call 911.
• If someone follows you into an elevator, or if you feel uneasy about
another passenger, stand near the control panel. Be ready to push
the emergency button and GET OFF at the next floor.
In Your Car (back to top)
• Take note if someone is sitting or standing around when you
approach or get ready to leave your car.
• Have your car keys handy so you can open the door right away,
when going to your car.
• Check the back seat and under the car before you get in.
• Keep your car windows closed while waiting at intersections or
for a traffic light.
• Blow your horn if someone tries to enter your car while you are
stopped. Look all directions to make sure the way is clear before
you proceed.
• Never leave your keys in the car: Not to run in to pay for gas. Not to
make a pickup... Not at home when you warm up your car in the
morning (keep an extra key handy so you can lock the car while it is
running). This will keep surprise visitors out of your car and help
prevent car theft.
ALWAYS FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT AND
GET OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!
HAVE AT LEAST A HALF TANK OF GAS!
LOCK YOUR CAR WHILE YOU’RE IN IT!
LOCK YOUR CAR WHEN
YOU LEAVE IT!
At Night (back to top)
• Be extra careful after dark!
• Use well-traveled and well-lit highways, streets, and parking areas.
• Know your route and tell someone where you are going, and what
time you’ll return.
• On routes you travel often, know the places open all night.
Abuse (back to top)
Have you ever been injured, beaten up, or verbally abused by someone in your family or someone close to you? Is your own behavior out of control sometimes? Have you ever forced anybody to do something they didn’t want to do? Most violence happens between people who know each other.
For more information on Domestic Violence, teen dating Violence and Assault contact these resources:
Victim Service Unit, Spalding Sherriff’s Department
770-467-1012
Promise Place, the local Domestic Violence Shelter
770-460-1604 |