Personal Security and Safety

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Though it's unlikely you'll be victimized, remember that your own personal security depends on your ability to develop and maintain good safety patterns.  Try following some of the suggestions below to reduce crime opportunities. 

You can also find additional tips in our Personal Safety brochure. (68KB PDF)
  

At Home

  • doorFor maximum protection against strangers, install a wide-angle peephole in your door.  If you're unable to identify your visitor, ask to see identification.
  • If a stranger wants to use your telephone keep them outside your locked door while you offer to make the call.
  • If you return home and suspect someone is inside, don't go in. Go to a neighbor's place and call 911.
  • It's unlikely you will ever be confronted by an intruder in your home; but if it does happen, remain calm and quiet.  If in bed, stay quiet until you can call the police.
  • Try to observe both the intruder and the type and color of the getaway vehicle. If you can, note the escape direction and the license number.
  • Avoid physical violence at all costs.

Walking

  • Try to plan your trips during morning hours and, if possible, go with at least one other person. 
  • Stay on busy, well-lighted streets and walk close to the street instead of next to buildings. 
  • Avoid night trips whenever possible. 
  • Rather than carrying weapons which can be turned against you, carry a whistle in a handy spot. If you are being bothered at all or feel you may be attacked, blow the whistle in repeated bursts and sit down on the ground (to reduce the chance of getting knocked down), unless you can get to a safer place nearby.

The Telephone

  • Unidentified callers have no right to invade your privacy.  Your best defense is a police-type whistle kept near your phone.  In the event of a persistent or obscene call, blow it as loudly as you can into the voice portion of the receiver. 
  • Single women should use initials instead of first names in the telephone book listings.

Your Money

  • If you get social security or certain other retirement payments, have them deposited directly into your bank account.  This eliminates the chance they'll be taken from your mailbox or that you'll be observed taking a month's livelihood to or from the bank.
  • Do not give out your social security number or any financial account information unless you have initiated the transaction with a trusted company.

When Traveling

  • trafficWhether you drive or use public transportation, travel with at least one other person.
  • Use a bus schedule to minimize the length of time you have to wait -- perhaps alone -- at the bus stop.
  • Keep your car locked at all times when it's parked and when you're driving it.  Keep the windows rolled up high enough so that an intruder can't reach inside.  Do this as a matter of habit.
  • If harassed by someone on foot, honk your horn in short blasts and drive off.
  • If followed by another car, honk your horn in the same way and pull into a police or fire station, drive-in restaurant, gas station or some other well-lighted place where others can help you.  Never go home while still being followed. If you do, you will be indicating your address to the person following you.
  • When returning to your parked car, have your key ready to unlock the door without a lengthy pause. However, look inside the car first to make sure someone isn't hiding inside.
  • If you have car trouble, raise your hood and turn on your emergency flasher, but wait inside with the doors locked. If people stop to help, don't get out. Rather, ask them to call the police. If they really want to help, they'll make the call.
  • If you see a car in trouble, don't stop to help.  Go to the next available phone and notify the police.
  • As a habit, keep valuable out of sight. Lock bags and packages in the car trunk.
  • Don't pick up hitchhikers.

Purse Snatching

  • Older women are particularly vulnerable to this special category of personal crime.  It is a crime which usually occurs during the daytime.
  • The best way to avoid purse snatching is not to carry a purse. This is not really as practical as it may seem since one of the biggest reasons for carrying a purse is force of habit. It might be well worth modifying the habit on order to reduce the opportunity for crime.
  • Try keeping a small amount of cash and/or a credit card in either a wallet or a compact cosmetic case to be carried in a concealed coat pocket.  Women can have small hidden pockets sewn on the inside of their coats for the same purpose.
  • If you must carry a purse, carry house keys separately.  That way, if your purse is lost or stolen, the keys won't be there along with your address.  Try carrying the keys on a chain around your neck or on a rubber band around your wrist.
  • Carry your purse close to your body, preferably in front. Avoid wrapping the strap around your wrist; you're likely to get hurt if a robber yanks hard.
  • Never carry large amounts of cash. Use checks or debit cards to pay for all bills, groceries and other purchases. Many banks provide checking accounts with no monthly service charge to persons over 65 (you pay only for the printing of the checks).
  • If you need to withdraw savings for a special purchase, get the amount as a check from the bank, not in cash.