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Awareness
Awareness can be a life-saver. It is very important to pay attention at all times to whatever is going on around you. It takes time to get used to being aware. Some people feel they are being "paranoid" when they first begin practicing awareness, however, with time it will develop into a natural habit. The following are some "common sense" tips that can help in your awareness training.
Awareness In Your Home
- THINK every time before you leave your name, address or phone number in public view or give out information regarding your daily routine.
- When you go on vacation, let a friend know when you leave and when you plan to return so someone is aware if you are missing. Do not advertise by putting a note on your door telling your whereabouts and your planned return home. If you will be gone more than a week, put a stop on your newspaper delivery and have your mail held at the post office.
- Use lights at all entrances, inside and out, and keep your garage well-lit. Keep garage door shut and locked at all times.
- Leave lights on in various parts of the house if you will be coming home after dark. Buy timer devices that will activate lights, radios, etc.
- Do not depend on your dog for more than an alarm if you have a prowler. Prowlers are often prepared to deal with dogs.
- If you hear a prowler, turn on all outside lights and call the police. Alert your neighbors. Consider a car phone or cellular phone for emergencies.
- Keep curtains closed and shades down at night.
- Ask for identification of all service personnel before opening the door. If you have not requested service, do not let them in.
- Do not allow children to open the door.
- Do not allow a stranger in the house to use the phone, regardless of the emergency. Offer to make the call for them.
- Do not depend on a chain on your door. Use a peephole to check on visitors while keeping the door locked. Call through the door if necessary.
- Beware of casual acquaintances who visit unannounced. Many rapists know their victims and plan the time of the attack.
- Do not spend unnecessary time alone in apartment laundry rooms.
- If you are considering a burglar alarm, check with the police department on home security.
Awareness In Your Car
- Check both inside your car before getting in. Consider purchasing a
small flashlight for checking at night.
- Keep a flare and a CALL POLICE sign in your trunk to use in case of
emergency.
- Keep telephone change in your car. (Better yet, carry a mobile phone.)
- Keep your gas tank between half and full.
- Keep all valuables locked in the trunk.
- If your car runs out of gas or breaks down, raise the hood and remain
inside with the doors locked and the windows up. If someone stops to offer
help, slip them change through a crack in the window and ask them to call
the police or nearest service station. (Or use your mobile phone.)
- Have your keys in your hand ready to use before you go outside. Fumbling
in your purse en route to the car or at the door provides a would-be assailant
with the opportunity to approach you.
- Park in well-lit areas near your destination.
- Always lock your car when you leave it, even if you are planning to be
gone only a short time.
- Avoid leaving personal objects in open view.
- Be aware of anyone in the vicinity of your car in a parking lot.
- Be familiar with your own frequently traveled routes. Know the location
of 24-hour businesses and of police departments. Vary your route home.
- If you discover you are being followed, drive to the nearest police
station or open business. Honk your horn repeatedly until you attract
attention. DO NOT DRIVE HOME.
- If someone signals from another car that something is wrong with your
car, drive to the nearest service station. Do not stop to check your car
until the other car has driven away.
- If you are driving someone home, wait until they have entered the house
and signaled for you to leave. Before they leave your car, establish a signal
other than waving for "Everything is fine," and one for "I need help, call
the police.". For example, if an assailant is waiting inside, he will expect
them to wave to you to say everything is okay. If they do this rather than,
say switching the lights on and off, then you will know to call for help.
- If anyone demands your car from you, cooperate. Keep the assailant
informed as you move deliberately and quickly. "Okay, let me unbuckle my
seat belt." "My child is in the back seat, please let me get her.")
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