In a world seemingly overrun by crime day in and day out, it is not only a worry but a challenge to not only ensure the safety of ourselves but the lives of our loved ones around us. How can you make sure that you’re preparing you and your family to be protected from crime?
Hearing about all of the crime occurring around our world can be daunting, whether you’re picking up the frightening stories off the television News channels, or scouring through the archives of John Cutter Investigations. While these stories are undeniably scary, we’re here to tell you that there are several ways that you can actively reduce the chances of you (and your family) becoming victims to one of these horrid crimes.
At Home
1. Always Lock Up
Reading this you are probably thinking, ‘Duh. You don’t have to tell ME this.’ But hey, there are many small towns that locking up your doors is unheard of. They live in quiet, small areas where everyone knows everyone, and they don’t think twice about leaving the doors unlocked.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, an unlocked door even in the safest neighbourhood could mean setting yourself up for a crime. Unlocked doors are clearly an open entryway for a robber to enter and take everything they want, whether you’re home or not.
It is so important to ensure your doors are always locked, whether you’re leaving for five minutes to grab the mail down the street or heading out for a long workday. It’s even more important to lock doors when you ARE home, to ensure that a potential robbery doesn’t turn even further sour.
To put it simply, the door should always be locked whether you’re home or not. This will ensure the safety of your children, yourself, and the rest of the family. If you don’t feel comfortable relying on just a door lock, you can always enhance your security by opting for an alarm or a more expensive and intense security system that will alert police of intrusions automatically.
2. Leave a Light on When You’re Not Home
Electricity isn’t cheap, but it’s a lot cheaper than trying to rebuy your stolen goods or trying to bring back peace into your life after a crime has taken place. When you’re home, you are likely to have at least one light on at all times. This shows potential intruders that you’re home and it probably isn’t a good idea to try and come in.
But when you’re not home, why should you keep the light on? Well, no lights on the house is essentially an ‘Open For Business’ sign to an intruder. They know you’re not there, so the risk of being caught is fairly slim.
That being said, always make sure there is at least ONE light on in the home at all times. Intruders would much rather approach a home that appears empty to stay away from a hectic situation, so light is a great way of saying ‘Occupied’.
3. Cancel Subscriptions During Extended Vacations
Unfortunately, this is something that a LOT of people tend to forget because it just doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. And when you get home, you probably want to catch up on all those newspapers and magazines you missed out on while you were away.
But let me tell you this: if there are stacks upon stacks of subscription newspapers and magazines sitting outside your front door, this shows that you are clearly not home- and haven’t been for quite a while. When will you be returning? The intruder doesn’t know. But he does know that the home is clearly no occupied at the moment, which is a great cue for him to come right in and take advantage of your vacation.
If you’re planning on being out of the home for an extended period of time, cancel all of your subscriptions that will be left on your doorstep. Doing so will ensure there’s no chance that a stranger will be able to tell you’re not home, and won’t be able to put up a fight or call anyone if they get caught in the act.
4. Leave No Hiding Spots Around the Home
There should never be any areas around your home that are left ‘open’ for an intruder to hide. This means that your bushes, trees, and other outdoor plants and equipment should leave no hiding spots for intruders and keep far away from the home. If up against the home, make sure they aren’t too tall to be able to block a potential stranger from popping in.
5. Stay Safe Online
When you’re at home, you’re probably online, whether it’s shopping or trying to meet the next love of your life. That being said, you need to make sure that you’re staying safe online as well. Some ways to ensure online safety include the following:
- Use complex passwords that aren’t guessed easily.
- Don’t visit sites that aren’t secure.
- Never give out your personal information, from phone numbers to full names and addresses.
- Don’t be naive and believe everything you hear on the internet.
Out and About
6. Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings
It doesn’t matter if you’re going to the park, the local Walmart, or your favourite shop in the mall; you ALWAYS need to pay attention to your surroundings. Make sure that nobody is following you and your family, and if they are, make it known that you’re aware of their location and stalkery.
Another thing to do is be wary when you’re at an ATM machine or paying with cash. This is a prime time for crime to happen, as they see you with an easy amount of cash to grab and will go in for the take.
It is even more important for moms out there to make sure they are aware of their surroundings, especially with the kids around. Moms who are dragging their kids (especially smaller children) to stores and outdoor settings are prime bait as they are typically so enthralled with their children, they pay less attention to what’s going on around them. That being said: Moms, keep an extra close eye on those kids AND what is going on around you (and them) to lower your chance of being a victim!
7. Stash Away Your Belongings
Again, it doesn’t matter where you’re doing your shopping or where you are hanging out. You always need to make sure that your belongings are nowhere they could be easily snatched up, and it should never be visible enough to see what exactly you’re carrying around.
When you’re at the store with baskets, it’s wise to put a purse underneath a jacket or wrap the strap around the cart handle a few times to make it more difficult for an attack. When you’re sitting down to enjoy the lake or grabbing a bite to eat, always make sure you’re belongings are connected to you in some way or right next to you in a hard place for an intruder to reach.
Anything important such as money, credit cards, or high-end smartphones should always be put away as much as possible when you’re out and about. Keep it in your purse or in a tight location that can’t be seen or reached with ease.
8. Look People in the Eyes
Looking people right in their eyes is an easy way to show them that you are confident, know they are there and that you aren’t afraid of them. Most of the time, a simple stare into the eyes of someone you’re uncomfortable with is enough to make them back off.
If you’re just ensuring the safety of you and your family on a day to day basis, giving a death stare isn’t optimal. Just make sure that you’re locking eyes with everyone who gives you a glance, to let them know that you’re aware they are there, even if it’s just in a friendly way.
While Driving
9. Keep Doors and Windows Locked
Some stop lights take forever, and this is a prime opportunity for people to become victims. If the doors aren’t locked, someone could easily open the door with a weapon, remove you from your car and take it for themselves, or just take your money and run. So what can you do to ensure your safety while at a stoplight?
ALWAYS keep your doors locked and your windows rolled up. If someone approaches your car, continue to keep the doors locked and windows up. If they engage in conversation, don’t roll down the windows still; simply talk through the glass.
10. Don’t Rush Out During an Accident
Most people feel the need to rush out of their cars after an accident to get information. While it’s true this is necessary, if you get lightly tapped from the back and it seems a little bit off considering all of the circumstances, you shouldn’t run out of the car. It’s best to call the authorities first and take it from there, especially if it is late and dark outside. Remember: if something doesn’t ‘feel right’, it probably isn’t. Always make sure you’re following proper safety after a car crash!
Conclusion
Keeping yourself and your family safe is a huge concern for many individuals. By following these proper safety tips for the home, on the go, and while driving, you can reduce the chances of becoming a victim.
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