Protect Yourself at Home

• More than three million residential burglaries are committed annually-- one every ten seconds. Don't become a victim. Check your locks -- they should be the "deadbolt" type with a strong metal bar extending 1 inch into the door frame .
• Keep doors locked whether you are at home or away. Use an auxiliary locking bar to secure sliding doors.
• Close and lock windows when you leave your home. If it's too hot to close windows, put nails in window frames so the windows can't be opened more than a few inches until you take the nails out.
• Don't hide spare keys. Burglars always seem to find them. Instead, give your key to a trusted neighbor.
• Taking a trip? Make: certain your home always looks "lived- in:' Stop all deliveries and ask a neighbor to stop by daily to pick up advertising circulars or anything else that may pile up at your front step.
• Use automatic timers to turn indoor lights on and off to make it appear you are at home. (Consider using a home alarm system.)
• Identify your personal property. Join Operation Identification by engraving an identifying number on your valuables, especially the things burglars like -- TV's. Stereos, CB Radios etc. If they are stolen it will make it easier for the police to return the item to you if they recover it.
• Check with your police. Many police departments have specialists trained to help you protect your home and will conduct a free home security survey

Protect yourself on the Street

• Be alert! Know your surroundings and be aware of who is in front of you and behind you.
• Don't take shortcuts through parks, tunnels, parking lots and alleys if you're alone or if they are known to be problem areas.
• If at all possible, don't carry a purse. If you must, keep your money and credit cards in a pocket or some other place.
• Carry as little cash as possible.
• Walk on highly traveled streets and at night, travel only in well lit areas.
• Carry your keys in your hand as you approach your home so you don't have to fumble for them outside your door.
• If someone attacks, don't resist unless you feel your life is in danger and you believe it is in your best interest.
• Remain calm and get the best possible description of your attacker. Start from the head working down to the feet.
• If assaulted, report it to the police or sheriff's department immediately.

Protect yourself as a Senior Citizen

• Protect your "life lines. Your financial lifelines, such as your Social Security or retirement checks should be sent directly to your checking or savings account.
• Travel with friends when you leave your home. Some communities have mini-buses especially for Senior Citizens or women who otherwise have to travel alone.
• Never trust strangers or casual acquaintances who tell you how you can get rich quick, or who ask you to give them large sums of money -- even for what seems to be a good reason. The elderly are often more prone to fall for a get-rich-quick scheme because many have limited incomes and need extra money.
• If you are not now a member, try to become a member of a Senior Citizens Club. Persuade your Senior Citizens Club to get involved in crime prevention activities such as police home security checks, Operation Identification and Neighborhood Watch. You'll find your sense of security increases and your chance of becoming a victim decreases.

Protect your Neighborhood

The next time you get together with your neighbors or local group, talk to them about preventing crime in your neighborhood. Because when it comes to fighting crime, we are all in it together. The police may be able to help you start a prevention program or alert you to existing programs where you live. All that's needed for most of these programs are your eyes, ears, and a little of your time. There's plenty you can do. For example:

• Exchange work and vacation schedules with your neighbors so you can keep an eye on each other's homes. That way, if they're at work and the back door is wide open, you'll know something is wrong and you can call the police. Ask the police about Neighborhood Watch.
• Get together to patrol your streets for suspicious activities. Walk around the neighborhood with a friend or if you have a CB radio in your car, you can drive. Report what you see to the police and they'll take it from there. Don't get involved with suspicious characters and don't take chances.
• Accompany an elderly person or a single woman to the store, bank, the post office, or anywhere, so he or she won't have to walk alone. Find out if a volunteer escort service exists in your community and join the other volunteers.
• Don't forget the kids! Teach your children about crime prevention. While they're outside playing, they see things that adults may not notice. Make sure they know to tell parents or police about anything suspicious. With adult supervision, kids can form youth patrols, youth escort services, or clean-up crews. If you live in an apartment, your neighbors are closer, but you may not know them. A good way to start is to get together to make your building safer. Share this booklet with your neighbors and urge them to follow all the home security tips mentioned in this booklet. And:
• Form a Neighborhood Watch to be on the lookout for suspicious activity in your area.
• Take turns with other tenants to volunteer time to screen visitors. If that isn't possible, raise funds to hire a security guard.
• Always check with your local police before starting any kind of community crime prevention program.