Here are some more holiday safety
tips. With Christmas coming up, many of us will be traveling to see family in
other parts of the country. The National Crime Prevention Council offers some
travel advice (which is also good when you go on vacation in the summer):
NCPC suggests following these safety tips to avoid problems
during your travels:
Personal Travel Plan: Think Before You Go
·
File a “travel plan.”
Let someone know where you are going, the route you plan to take, when you plan
to arrive and how to contact you. If you deviate from that plan, let someone
know.
·
Travel with friends.
There is safety in numbers.
·
Make sure your house
appears “lived-in” when you are away. Lock all doors and windows, set household
lights (inside and out) on timers.
·
Trim your hedges and
bushes so thieves cannot have a place to hide out.
·
Have a neighbor park a
car in your driveway to make it appear as if someone is home.
·
Have a neighbor pick
up your mail and newspapers while you are away or have them held at the post
office.
·
Invest in an alarm. An
alarm system controls access points to your home and lets you know if someone
has invaded your space.
Driving: On the Road Again
·
Always lock your car
doors. Keep valuables out of sight, preferably in the trunk of your car.
·
Never pick up
hitchhikers.
·
Park in well-lighted
areas and close to the building.
·
Do not stop alongside
the road if possible. If your car is bumped from behind or if someone indicates
there is something wrong with your car, go to a service station or a
well-lighted, populated area and call for help.
·
Fill the gas tank
before dark; lock your car doors and roll up your windows if you step away from
the car for any reason.
Travel Destination: Checking In
·
Use all hotel locks
and other security devices, even when you’re in your room.
·
Store valuables in the
room safe or in the facility’s main safe.
·
Don’t tell strangers
the name of your hotel, your room number, or other personal information.
·
Guard your room keys.
Don’t leave them unattended or visible at restaurants, the pool, or clubs.
·
Don’t prop open your
door or open your door to strangers. Use the peep hole before opening the door.
·
Don’t leave your purse
or bags unattended at hotel buffets or lounges.
Personal Safety: On the Town
·
Avoid carrying large
amounts of cash. Take only the cash you need in your purse or wallet.
·
Limit the number of
credit cards you carry. Bring only the necessary credit card(s) with you and
carry money separately from credit cards.
·
Women should keep
purses closed and snuggled tightly against the body.
·
Men should keep
wallets in a front pants pocket or coat pocket.
·
Know your route and
stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets.
·
If you feel
threatened, get away and call for help, or try to go to a crowded place.
·
Always let someone
know where you are going, who you are with, and when you will return.
·
Avoid going off with
strangers, and always use the buddy system.
·
Avoid using alcohol
and other drugs. Impaired judgment can put you in potentially dangerous
situations.
·
Select ATM machines in
visible, well-lighted locations.
Link:
