Practical Safety Tips
One of the most helpful ways a person can increase her sense of safety is by having a keen awareness of her surroundings. Being familiar with some practical safety tips may give a woman a sense of control in her environment. ***It is important to remember that while these tips may be helpful in many situations, they are in no way fail-safe. A woman must trust her gut feelings and react in whatever way seems best given her situation. There is no absolute right or wrong way to react in a potentially dangerous situation.***
TIPS FOR WHERE YOU LIVE:
1. All lobbies, hallways, carports, parking lots, entrances and exits should be well lighted, particularly in apartment complexes and buildings. If the lighting is inadequate, organize a group of your fellow apartment residents to request that the landlord implement necessary security improvement.
2. The front and back doors of apartment units and houses should have dead-bolt locks and peepholes. If peepholes cannot be installed, attach a strong chain-lock to the door so you'll have a means of identifying visitors before completely unlocking the door. Windows also should have strong locks.
3. Never open the door to a stranger. Do not let a woman or man that you do not know into the house. Even if you are expecting someone, check before opening the door. It is okay to ask for identification of all service and delivery people before opening the door. If someone comes to your door requesting to use your telephone because of an emergency, still do not open the door. Take the telephone number and make the call yourself. The person may be looking for an "easy target" through crying that there is an "emergency".
4. Give only invitational parties. Admitting a stranger unaccompanied by a friend to your home, even during parties, could prove to be dangerous. The stranger may return later--as a rapist.
5. It may be helpful for women living alone to avoid using the prefixes of "Miss", "Ms." or "Mrs." on mailboxes or in telephone directories. An option is to only use a first name initial with the last name.
6. For those whose living arrangements can accommodate a pet, a dog can be a protective device. Not only can a barking dog signal an alarm, but he may also ward off the potential rapist or other criminal.
7. It can be a good idea to become acquainted with your neighbors so you will know whom you can trust in an emergency. Women living in the same apartment building can develop a security system alerting each other of danger. (For example, by repeatedly ringing a doorbell.)
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