Staying safe at home and on the phone

Virtually all activities in life entail some level of risk, and we each have different attitudes toward risk. At one end of the scale is refusing to engage in an activity by exaggerating the level of risk involved. At the other end is engaging in very risky activities while refusing to take any precautions. Neither of these attitudes are useful for living an empowered life.

What is useful is to accurately assess the risks, take those precautions that make sense, and live as fully as possible.

The following precautions will not guarantee safety, but they should serve to minimize criminal opportunities.

When you’re at home:
• Install quality deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and use them.
• A small chain between the door and doorjamb is not very secure. It can be easily broken and defeated.
• Install quality locks on all windows and use them.
• Windows left open for ventilation should not be capable of being opened far enough for entry.
• Install a wide-angle door viewer on all exterior doors.
• Do not use your full name on your mailbox, in the telephone directory, or on your answering machine.
• Minimize the amount of landscaping, shrubbery or other plant growth near windows, doorways, walkways or other possible areas of concealment.
• Have lights at all entrances to the home. Exterior lights – designed for security purposes – should be either motion detector activated or controlled by a photoelectric cell.
• Do not leave a schedule of your times away from home on your answering machine.
• Before opening an exterior door to the home, know who is at the door, and do not open the door to an unexpected visitor.
• Don’t hide extra keys near an entryway. Criminals are good at finding them.
• Ask for photo identification of utility or repairpersons. If you are suspicious, call to verify employment.
• Never give personal information to telephone solicitors.
• Consider creating a “safe room” within the house. This is often the master bedroom. This room should have a solid door, strong locks and not be easily accessible from the outside. Consider keeping a cellular phone in this room.
• Do not permit strangers into the home to use the telephone.
• If you want to help a stranger, offer to make the call for them.
• When a package is delivered, ask that the parcel be left outside the door. Receipts that require signature can be slipped under the door.
• Children should be trained not to open the home door for strangers.
• Engrave all of your valuable property. Keep a record of serial numbers of valuable property. Photograph or videotape valuables, A digital camera is particularly good for this purpose. Keep photographs or videotapes of valuables and their serial numbers in a safe or a safe-deposit box.
• Whenever moving into a new residence, have all exterior door locks re-keyed.
• Particularly at night, keep Venetian blinds and curtains closed. Possibly leave lights on in two or more rooms to indicate a presence.

Telephone Calls:
• Do not give your telephone number to wrong telephone callers. Ask the caller, “What telephone number are you calling?”
• Check references of any person calling seeking information about you for a survey, credit check, or subscription drive. Call the agency or company the person works for and verify the identity and intent of the caller.
• Never reveal to a stranger or wrong telephone number caller, your address or that you are home alone.
• Teach children telephone security techniques.
• If you receive a threatening, harassing or obscene telephone call, notify your local law enforcement agency and your telephone company.
• If you receive such a call, place the telephone receiver down immediately. Do not say anything to the caller.
• If you receive such calls, keep a record of time, date and content of each telephone call.

File photo