WELCOME TO PERSONAL SAFETY FOR WOMEN ( AND GIRLS ) - STAYING SAFE AT HOME, ON THE STREET, ABROAD AND ONLINE.

INDEX:

*Staying safe at home
*Staying safe when out and about
*Staying safe on holiday
*Staying safe online


Note 1: Now you might say that a lot of the information that follows is basic common sense and you'd be right, but bear in mind that what is 'obvious' to you might not be so to someone younger and less worldlywise. Besides, sometimes we all loose track of what is wise and sensible and need to be reminded - for our own good! There are a lot of bad people out there just waiting to catch us off our guard.

Note 2: Some of the following information hails from Britain, some of it hails from North America, so not everything may be applicable to you.


PERSONAL SAFETY - ADVICE ISSUED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S HOME OFFICE:

Most crime is against property, not people, and often carried out on the spur of the moment.
Many crimes can easily be prevented by taking simple common sense precautions.

Personal safety at home:

* Make sure your home is secure. Always lock outside doors and fit a barrel lock to the top and bottom.

* Draw your curtains after dark.

* Leave a light on if you're going out.

* If you hear an intruder, only you can decide how best to handle the situation. You may want to keep quiet to avoid attention in the hope that the intruder will leave. Or you may feel more confident if you turn the lights on and make a lot of noise. Even if you're on your own, call out loudly to an imaginary companion - most intruders will flee rather than risk a confrontation. Ring the police as soon as its safe for you to do so.

* A telephone extension in your bedroom will make you feel more secure.

* Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory and on the doorplate. Then a stranger won't know wheter a man or woman lives there.

* If you receive an abusive phone call, put the receiver down beside the phone and walk away. Return after five minutes and replace the receiver. Don't say anything - an emotional reaction is just what the caller wants. If the calls continue, inform the police and the operator.

Looking after your home:

* Be alert to people loitering in residential streets.

* Visible burglar alarms may make burglars think twice.

* Fit window locks.

* A high wall or fence at the back of the house can put off a burglar. Check for weak spots where a thief could get in.

* Never leave a garage or shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house.

* Mark portable, high value, goods like TV's, hi-fi, home computers, cameras etc. with your post code - keep a list of their serial numbers.

Out and about:

* If you need to walk home after dark, carry a personal alarm.

* Carry your bag close to you. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go. Remember your safety is more important than your property.

* If you think you are being followed, check by crossing the street to see if he follows. If you are still worried go to the nearest place where there are people - a pub or shop.

* Don't take short cuts through dark alleys.

* Don't hitchhike or take lifts from strangers.

* Cover up expensive looking jewellery.

* Avoid wearing a personal stereo - you can't hear traffic or somebody approaching you.

When driving:

* Always make sure your vehicle is in good condition.

* Plan your journey - stay on main roads if you can.

* Make sure you have enough money and petrol, if you have a mobile phone - take it with you.

* If someone tries to flag you down, drive on until you come to a service station or somewhere busy and call the police.

* Don't pick up hitchhikers.

* Keep doors locked when driving.

* Keep valuables out of sight.

* After dark, park in a well lit busy place.

* Have your keys ready when you get back to your car.

* Never leave your car unlocked or a window open.

* Don't leave credit cards, cheque books or your vehicle documents in the glove compartment.

Also:

* From time to time you will need to have a workman in your home to service or repair a domestic appliance or whatever. If you are uneasy about this, why not arrange for a friend to be there with you at the appointed time so that you are not alone. You could do the same for her when see needs it.

* Before going on a journey, either by foot or by car, tell someone ( or leave a note ) saying where you are going, the route you are taking and what time you expect to return.

* To thwart pickpockets, secure the top of your coat/shirt pocket with a safety pin. Simple but effective.

* To prevent someone stealing and running off with your bag whilst you're sitting at a restaurant/cafe table, position the bag at your feet and put the chair leg between the strap(s) of the bag, so the bag cannot be pulled away by a thief. Again, simple but effective.

* Pedestrian underpasses are a great place for an ambush. Rather than take a chance and go through on your own, if you feel uneasy, wait a while till other people turn up and then tag along with them. Safety in numbers.

* If you are being followed at night and you fear you are going to be attacked shout or scream, and bang on doors and call for help. Try the doors of parked cars to activate their alarms. Make as much noise as possible to attract attention.


BURGLAR'S TOP TENS

A few years ago some British career burglars were questioned on what made them choose some houses (to burgle) rather than others. The following were compiled using the burglar's answers.

Top Ten Dislikes:

1) Alert, vigilant neighbours.

2) Lights on and curtains drawn.

3) Cars parked in the driveway.

4) Restricted access to the rear of the house.

5) Security lights on at the front and rear of the house.

6) Dogs.

7) Double glazing/'toughened' glass.

8) Window locks on all the windows.

9) No valuables on display.

10) Internal doors locked.

Top Ten Likes:

1) Open doors and windows.

2) The view of the front of the house obscured by fencing or hedging.

3) Easy access to the rear of the house.

4) No lights left on at night/a house in darkness.

5) Glass panelled front/back doors.

6) Doors without deadlocks.

7) Lots of valuables on display.

8) Patio doors without additional security locks.

9) Unlocked garden sheds and garages - the latter especially so if it has a connecting door to the house. (Tools and ladders not securely locked away will gratefully be used by the burglar to break in.)

10) Louvre windows.

Also:

* If you come home and find signs of a break-in, for example the door is ajar or a window is broken, do not go inside, the intruder might still be there. Rather go to a neighbour's house and call the police and wait outside until they arrive.

* If you go out at night leave some lights on - and the radio, to help fool any potential burglar into thinking there are people inside.

*Three out of ten burglaries do not involve a forced entry, i.e. doors and windows were carelessly left open and the burglar just walked/climbed in and helped himself.


KEYS:

* When you move into a new house or flat, your first priority should be to change the locks, as you don't know who might have keys to the property.

* Never mark or label your keys with your name or address, because if they get lost or stolen...

* Never keep your keys together with means of identity i.e. cheque book, letters, bill, drivers license etc.)

* Never leave your keys in 'hiding places' such as under doormats or flower pots.

* Never give your keys to tradesmen or others, copies can easily be made.

* If you are returning home late at night have your front door key ready so you can quickly let yourself in.


USING TAXIS AND MINICABS:

* Always use a taxi or licensed minicab.

* Taxis (Hackney Carriages) can be hailed in the street. They look like purpose-built taxis or black cabs and have an illuminated taxi sign on the roof.

* Licensed minicabs cannot be hailed in the street. They must be pre-booked. The driver should have ID and the vehicle will have some sort of license displayed on it.

* Cars cruising the streets looking for customers are illegal, uninsured and potentially very dangerous.

* Carry the telephone number of a trusted, licensed company with you.

* If possible, book a taxi or minicab in advance. Ask for the driver's name, as well as the make or colour of the car.

* Confirm the driver's details when they arrive - is it the taxi or minicab you ordered?

* If you are ordering a cab from a public place, try not to let people overhear your name and address - anyone could pretend to be your cab.

* Sharing a taxi or minicab with a friend and sitting in the back of the car are also good safety strategies.

* If you chat to the driver, be careful not to give out any personal details.

* NEVER use taxis or minicabs that are not licensed. If you do you are getting into a vehicle with a stranger. Many people who have used these cabs have been the victim of crimes such as theft, assault or rape.

* If you feel threatened :
- Remember to trust your instincts - if you are at all worried - ask the driver to stop in a busy area, and get out of the car.
- If the driver refuses to stop, use a mobile ( if you have one) to call the police and alert other drivers and pedestrians by waving or calling out of the window.

(Reproduced by kind permission of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, England.)