Home, Street, Car, and Office Safety Tips

Home Safety

• Install effective locks on all doors and windows and USE them.
• Install a peephole viewer in your door; NEVER open your door without knowing who is on the other side. Demand to see identification.
• NEVER admit to a stranger at your door or on the phone if you are alone. If they request an emergency phone call for help, offer to make one for them while they wait outside.
• If you live alone, list only your last name and initials on mailboxes and in telephone directories.
• Avoid being in your apartment laundry room or garage by yourself, especially at night.
• If you come home and find a door or window with signs of forced entry, DON’T GO IN! Go to the nearest phone and call the police or sheriff.

Street Safety

• Travel with a friend whenever possible.
• Stay in well-lighted areas.
• Walk confidently, directly and at a steady pace on the side of the street facing traffic and make eye contact with people when walking.
• Walk close to the curb and avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide.
• If you are being followed, walk quickly to a lighted area with people. If a car is following you, turn and walk in the opposite direction, or on the other side of the street.

Car Safety

• Park in well-lighted areas and always lock car doors after entering or leaving your car.
• Have car keys in your hand before entering your car so you don’t have to linger, and check the back seat before entering your car.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place, police or sheriff’s station.
• If your car breaks down, open the hood and attach a white cloth to the car antenna. Then stay in your locked car, and if someone stops to help, ask him or her to call the police, sheriff or a towing service.
• Don’t stop to aid motorists on the side of the road. Go to a phone and request help.
• Don't invite trouble by flashing jewelry. Keep gold chains out of sight and turn rings around so stones don’t show.
• During off-hours, ride as near to the bus operator as possible. If someone bothers you, or you see any suspicious activity, tell the driver. Change seats if necessary.
• Carry your wallet inside your coat or in a front pocket. A comb placed horizontally in the fold of the wallet will alert you if someone tries to remove it from your pocket.
• Keep your handbag in front of you and hold it close to your body with both hands.

Office Security

• Never leave your purse or wallet in plain view or in the pocket of a jacket hanging on a door and don’t bring cash or valuables to the office.
• Keep the office door locked if you are alone or working before/after regular hours.
• If you work late, ask another worker or a security guard to walk out with you.
• If you are in an elevator with another person, stand near the control panel. If attacked, press the alarm and as many of the control buttons as possible.
• Be alert for pickpockets on crowded elevators.  Be aware of escape routes for emergencies and post emergency numbers near telephones.

The SAFE Task Force is a community resource. If you have a concern about any individual or any suspicious behavior contact us by phone at 408-808-4300 or email at [email protected]