Safety Tips for Home and Away

Whether it’s robbery, fraud and identity theft, muggings or purse and wallet snatching, crime and violence are a concern for everyone. Let’s talk about some things you can do to protect yourself and your family.

At home

Install a home security system.

Install motion sensor lighting outside your home.

Install steel security doors.

Use a medical alert system. Not just for seniors but for anyone who has health problems or people who live alone.

Install a fireproof home safe to store your valuable items. Look for one that can be bolted to the wall or floor.

Keep your doors locked.

Install deadbolt locks.

Keep your house key with you and don’t attach any kind of personal identification to your keychain. If your keys are lost or stolen the ID gives a criminal your address. If your keys are lost or stolen install new locks right away.

Don’t leave windows unlocked when you are away.

Lock your windows at night and close the curtains and blinds.

If you leave your home and will be returning after dark leave both an interior and exterior light on.

Never open the door for a stranger, even if they appear to be official. If you are not expecting them don’t let them in. If you are concerned call the police.

Never allow anyone in to use your phone.

If you have scheduled some type of service call or home repair, ask them to show you their ID before opening the door and never leave them alone in the house.

If you have had some type of work done in your home, walk around after they leave and check that all windows and doors are locked and secured. If the person has malicious intentions, they can unlock a door or window to gain access to your home later.

Dogs can act as a deterrent. Consider adopting a dog if it fits into your lifestyle.

Never keep a spare key to your home outside of your house. Instead leave it with a trusted relative or friend.

Keep a home inventory list. All items of value should be added to the list. Include the name of the item, make and model, date of purchase, place of purchase, purchase price and any other information you consider important. Take a picture of each item and record a video of your home and the contents. Keep a copy of this in your safe or safety deposit box and send a copy to your insurance company.

If there is a neighborhood watch group where you live join it or partner with a neighbor and keep an eye on each other’s property.

Away from home

Always be alert to your surroundings.

Carry a personal safety alarm.

Carry mace or pepper spray. Attach it to your keychain.

Purses and wallets are prime targets for thieves. Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket, instead secure it in a front or inside pocket with a zipper. Instead of an over the shoulder purse consider a bag that you can carry around your waist. Backpacks are not a good choice because they are on your back and an easy target for thieves. You might also consider an antitheft purse, bag or wallet. Limit what you carry with you taking only what is necessary.

Never carry your Social Security card or other important documents in your purse or wallet.

Never leave your purse or wallet unattended. Always keep your purse with you when you are at a doctor’s appointment or any other setting where you might need to leave the room and leave your belongings behind. The same is true for your wallet and jacket. Some hospitals and doctors’ offices offer a locker to store your valuables in while you are in the exam room.

Don’t put your purse in the shopping cart. Don’t leave your purse or wallet on a table while dining, on a bench or seat next to you, hanging over a chair or any other area where it can be easily grabbed.

Don’t leave your purse or wallet in your car. Even if it is locked.

Don’t go shopping alone. Take your spouse, a family member or a friend along. There is safety in numbers. If you must shop alone let someone know where you are going, when you are leaving and what time you expect to be home.

Keep your cell phone charged. Never leave the house with a low battery. Consider keeping a battery charger in your car.

Vacation with a friend or loved one.

If you live alone don’t advertise it.

Avoid going out at night if possible. Schedule your trips during the day.

Don’t carry cash unless you must, take a credit card instead.

Financial and online safety

Have your Social Security, retirement and any other checks deposited directly into your bank account.

Setup online bill pay with your utility companies, credit card companies, banks and financial institutions, insurance companies, medical providers and others you do business with so that the statements are not left in your mailbox. Mail stolen from mailboxes can lead to identity theft and fraud. 

Never respond to text messages from numbers you don’t know.

Hang up the phone immediately when anyone calls trying to sell you anything or gather any kind of information from you.

Never respond to an email or click on a link in an email message that is suspicious.

Never provide your Social Security number, credit card number, banking information or any other personal information to anyone requesting it over the phone or by email.

Never send money or payments to anonymous callers.

Don’t answer the phone if the call is from a number you don’t know. If it is important, they will leave a message.

Keep your phone number and email address private.

Add emergency and family member phone numbers to your phones contact list for easy access.

Never respond to charity donation requests over the phone, by text or by email. If you want to give to a charitable organization reach out to them yourself.

Shred all documents that contain any personal or financial information before throwing them away.

Cut up or shred any expired cards such as debit cards, credit cards, insurance cards or identification cards before throwing them way.

Change your passwords and security questions regularly. Use a password manager to store the information. Never share your password with others.

If you have not already done so put a freeze on all of your credit reports. This can be done online through the three major credit bureaus, Transunion, Equifax and Experian.

Never share personal information such as your full name, the names of family members, address, workplace or phone numbers on social media sites. Don’t post pictures, it seems like everyone does, but posting personal photos poses a real danger. Don’t post vacation plans or work and home schedules this tells criminals that you are away from home which can lead to burglary. Don’t “check-in” at the locations you visit. The less you share the better. Ask yourself why you would want to share this information with the world?

Have a friend or neighbor collect your mail and newspaper when you are away on vacation or on a business trip. Set timers on lights so they turn on and off automatically making it appear that the house is occupied.

If you buy or sell items online, meet at a neutral location in a busy area during the day to exchange the merchandise and don’t go alone.

In your vehicle

Before getting in the vehicle look through the window and make sure no one is inside.

Lock your doors as soon as you get into the vehicle.

Have your keys in your hand when approaching your car.

Survey the area around your vehicle when approaching.

Never leave your keys inside of your vehicle.

Keep windows rolled up when you can. Someone can easily jump into the car through a window that is rolled down when you stop or park your car.

Use a GPS system when traveling.

Don’t drive to unfamiliar places at night.

If you have a garage at home, use it. Lock both your car and garage doors. Don’t leave the garage door opener in an unlocked car or in plain view.

If you park in the driveway always keep your car doors locked.

When parking in a public place park as close to the entry as possible.

Never give a parking attendant your house keys. Give them only the key to your car.

When shopping put bags in the trunk. Not in the back seat or cargo area where they can be easily seen.