The keys to enhancing personal safety and security are making informed choices, staying aware of the situation, and planning. You are the critical factor in your security and the little things you do go a long way in determining how safe you are. This is why you need to be aware and educate yourself on some prevention tactics and strategies you can use to ensure your security and safety.
According to an article by David Blake, here are some strategies you can use for your safety and security.
Keeping your family, home, and property safe:
• You should be cautious when letting service people into your home. Do not open the door until you have verified that the person is who they claim to be.
• Individuals should avoid putting their first and last name on their mailbox and instead only use a first initial and last name.
• Give the impression you are home even when you are not: don’t broadcast your travel plans on social media, stop papers and mail, use timers to alternate lights on at night, and have a neighbor park a car in your driveway.
• Never allow strangers into your home. Some individuals may claim that their car has broken down or that they’ve been in an accident and need to use the phone as their cell phone has died. Instead of allowing access, one may offer to make the call instead.
• Keep shrubs and trees trimmed and away from doors and windows to prevent criminals from hiding areas.
• Develop and communicate contingency plans for sheltering in place, evacuation, and home intrusion with your family.
• Install an alarm system or video surveillance system.
• Improve outdoor lighting and install motion sensors to increase visibility.
Protecting your online reputation and integrity.
• Be aware of what you post on the Internet. You never know who is looking at your information. It could be stalkers, future employers, recruiters, family members, etc.
• Keep your privacy settings on social media sites up-to-date and intact.
• Ensure your phone is secure by updating operating systems regularly, disabling geotagging, encrypting data, and avoiding clicking on suspicious emails and links.
Vigilance is essential.
• Always be alert to your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you’re alone or it’s dark.
• Make eye contact with people when walking.
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend.
• Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible.
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide.
• You should walk at a steady pace with confidence.
• Do not respond to conversations with strangers on the street—continue walking.
• If you carry a purse, carry it securely between your arm and your body. Although a purse snatcher intends to steal the purse, your personal safety may depend on not clinging to it.
• Do not use or wear anything that will impede your vision or hearing (i.e., iPods).
• Limit phone use in public places, so your focus remains on your surroundings.
• Keep backpacks and purses zipped and close to your body in public places.
• Keep your keys within reach whenever you walk across parking lots or garages.
• Lock your car doors immediately when getting out of or into your car.
• Keep your car’s interior clean, with valuables hidden from sight or locked in the trunk.
Always remember that you are more responsible for your safety than anyone else, and you can leverage these prevention tactics to keep you and your family safe. Which one of these tactics have you been using or will start using today?
