Hw t Prevent a Hme Burglary Invest in slid drs and gd quality lcks n drs and windws. This includes n all sliding glass drs as well. Make it nt nly difficult but als time cnsuming fr a burglar t gain entry. Whenever yu g utside, lck the dr and take the key with yu, even if yu are just stepping next dr r ut mwing the back yard. Dn't put valuables where they can be seen frm the windw, especially items that can be easily carried. Be sure yur garage dr can be secured. D nt leave it pen when yu are away; an empty garage bradcasts yur absence. When yu aren't hme, use a timer set t turn interir lights n and ff at varying intervals as thugh yur hme was still ccupied. Dn't keep large amunts f cash r really valuable jewelry arund the huse. If smene cmes t yur dr asking t use the telephne, make the call yurself. Dn't invite them in. Dn't hide a spare key under the dr mat r under a flwer pt. Plant thrny bushes under all windws. Trim back any trees r shrubs near drs and windws t eliminate hiding places fr wuld-be thieves. Invest in a gd security system alng with mtin sensr lights installed ut f reach. Dn't leave ladders utside. Keep any tls that culd be used t break in yur hme safely lcked away in a garage r shed. Get a barking dg r "beware f dg" sign. If yu wn a dg and g ut f twn, have smene cme in and care fr yur dg in yur hme. Always duble check drs at night and lck all windws. Engrave all valuables such as steres, micrwaves, vide cameras, with yur driver's license number. (Engraving tls are usually available thrugh yur lcal law enfrcement agency.) Videtape the cntents f yur hme. Keep the vide and the list f all valuables in a safe place, such as a safety depsit bx. D nt list yur first name in the telephne bk. Instead use initials. Make sure yur answering machine message des nt indicate that yu are alne. Have deadblts installed n all drs. Keep drs and windws lcked. Install a peep-hle n yur dr and lk befre pening the dr. Never pen the dr t strangers.
Keep blinds r drapes clsed at night t discurage "Peeping Tms." D nt hang lingerie utdrs. Verify the identity f any repairmen. Use the telephne number listed in the phne bk, nt n their identificatin. Hw t Safeguard Yur Hme While n Vacatin Strive t make yur hme lk as lived-in as pssible while yu're away. Dn't bradcast yur plans but d let yur neighbrs and lcal law enfrcement knw. Give a spare key t yur neighbrs and give them an emergency telephne number t reach yu. Arrange t have yur mail and newspapers either stpped r picked up daily. Have smene mw yur yard r rake the leaves s yur huse lks lived-in. Use autmatic timers t turn n a radi and lights at different intervals t hide the fact yu aren't hme. Turn dwn the ringer n the telephne. An unanswered telephne is a dead give-away. Be sure yu dn't annunce yur absence n yur answering machine message. Leave yur blinds like yu nrmally wuld if yu were hme. Only clse them all the way if that is what yu wuld nrmally d. Be sure t clse and lck the garage as well as any strage sheds, gates, etc. Ask yur neighbr t ccasinally park in yur driveway. If yu are leaving a vehicle parked utside, have the neighbr mve it peridically s it lks as thugh yu are hme. Be sure smene knws yur itinerary and yur estimated time f arrival and return. Be sure yur vehicle is in gd wrking cnditin and that yu have taken enugh mney. D nt carry large amunts f cash, use credit cards and travelers' checks.
Hw T Prtect Yurself While Using An Autmated Teller Machine (ATM) Try t avid using an ATM by yurself. Either take smene with yu r nly use an ATM when thers are arund. If pssible, avid using an ATM after dark. If yu must, chse ne that is lit well and des nt have tall bushes nearby. When yu arrive at an ATM, lk arund. If yu see anything that makes yu uncmfrtable r anyne wh lks suspicius, d nt stp. Either use an ATM at a different lcatin r cme back later. Ntify the authrities. Have yur access card and any ther dcuments yu need ready when yu apprach an ATM. While yu are fumbling with a wallet r purse, yu are easy game fr a thief. If smene else is using the ATM when yu arrive, avid standing right behind them. Give them enugh space t cnduct their transactin in privacy. Even while using the ATM, stay alert t yur surrundings. Lk up and arund every few secnds while transacting yur business. Prtect yur Persnal Identificatin Number (PIN). D nt enter yur PIN if anyne else can see the screen. D nt use spuse, children, maiden r pet names fr PIN number. Shield yur PIN frm nlkers by using yur bdy. When yur transactin is finished, be sure yu have yur card and yur receipt, and then leave immediately. Avid cunting r therwise displaying large amunts f cash. As yu leave, keep a lk ut. Be alert fr anything r anyne wh appears suspicius. If yu think yu are being fllwed, g t an area with a lt f peple and call the plice.
Hw t Prevent a Carjacking Keep drs lcked and windws shut. Dn't stp t assist a disabled mtrist. Instead cntact a service statin r plice. When stpped at a light, leave enugh rm between yu and the car in frnt that yu culd make an escape. Be suspicius f anyne appraching the car with fliers, asking fr change r directins. Be ready t leave carefully. While driving, if struck frm behind r in any suspicius way, stay in yur vehicle with the drs lcked and windws clsed until the plice arrive. Activate yur vehicle's emergency flashers. If yu're very suspicius, get the ther vehicle's license number and drive t the nearest plice statin r a well-lighted area with lts f peple. If yu think yu are being fllwed, drive immediately t an area with lts f lights and peple. Obtain and use a cellular phne t call fr help. In Flrida, dialing *FHP anywhere in the state frm a cellular phne will cnnect yu with the nearest Flrida Highway Patrl statin. Hw t Prtect Yurself in a Parking Garage If yu must leave a key with a parking attendant, leave nly yur vehicle's ignitin key. D nt leave anything attached t it with yur name and address. Dn't park next t a van's sliding dr. Change frm high heels t lw flats r even sneakers when leaving wrk. They are better t run in. At night, leave yur ffice r building in the cmpany f thers. Dn't leave alne after dark. If pssible, have smene frm yur building security escrt yu, r call fr plice assistance. Apprach yur vehicle with yur keys already in yur hand. Lk arund yur vehicle fr any suspicius activity. If yu see smene litering arund yur vehicle, walk past until they leave. D a quick scan f yur vehicle's interir befre unlcking the dr. Be sure t lk in the back seat. Keep yur drs lcked and yur windws shut. Be suspicius f anyne appraching yur vehicle, whether passing ut leaflets r asking fr dnatins. Always leave the car windws up.
Hw T Prtect Yurself While Shpping Avid shpping alne. Try t shp with a friend r relative. Park yur vehicle in a well-lighted area. Put radar detectrs and cellular telephnes ut f sight. Knw yur surrundings. Keep an eye n the peple in frnt f as well as behind yu. Carry yur purse clse t yur bdy. Dn't swing it lsely. Dn't flash large amunts f cash. Walk with cnfidence. Avid talking t strangers. Apprach yur vehicle with yur keys already in yur hand. Try nt t carry t many packages. Place all packages ut f sight in yur vehicle, preferably in the trunk. Keep yur vehicle drs lcked and yur windws shut. If yu see anything suspicius r if smething just desn't feel right, leave immediately and cntact security r the plice. Hw t Prtect Yurself While Walking at Night Avid walking r running alne at night. Instead g walking r jgging with a friend. Dn't use headphnes while walking, driving r jgging. Always walk in well-lighted areas. Avid the use f shrt cuts. After dark, keep away frm large bushes r drways where smene culd be lurking. Always stay near the curb. If smene in a vehicle stps and asks fr directins, answer frm a distance. D nt apprach the vehicle. If fllwed, g immediately t an area with lights and peple. If needed, turn arund and walk in the ppsite directin, yur fllwer will als have t reverse directins. D nt display cash penly, especially when leaving an ATM.