Personal Safety

Telephone Safety

  • If you receive an obscene call or a nuisance call, say nothing and hang up immediately.
  • If you are alone and receive a call from an unidentified caller, never indicate that you are alone.
  • Never give any information to "wrong number" callers who ask you what number they've dialed.
  • Never give personal information to surveyors. First ask for the person's name, the name of his company, and his telephone number. You can call the person back.
  • If you begin to receive crank or harassing calls at work or home, keep a written log of of the dates and times you have received such calls and what transpired each time.

On The Street

  • Stay in well lighted areas.
  • Don't take shortcuts through areas such as alleys, vacant lots, or areas you are unfamiliar with.
  • Walk down the middle of the sidewalk against the flow of vehicular traffic.
  • Stay away from parked cars, doorways, staircases, hedges and shrubs, and other potential hiding places.
  • Always walk confidently at a steady pace. Be alert and give the impression you know where you're going.
  • If stopped by someone in a car, asking for directions, always maintain a safe distance from the car. Never get close to the car.
  • If you believe you are being followed, trust your instinct. Cross the street and get to the nearest place of safety (an open business for example.)
  • If you walk or jog regularly, vary your route and routine a little each day.
  • NEVER HITCH-HIKE As well as being very dangerous, it's also illegal.
  • Carry your purse close to your body and keep a firm grip on it.
  • When shopping, never leave your purse in a shopping cart, on a counter, or in a fitting room.
  • Always keep your purse zipped or closed. Thieves often just reach into a purse when the owner turns away.