When you're at home...

- Keep your doors locked at all times, even when you're at home or working outdoors
- Maintain good outdoor lighting and leave it on at night.
- Don't keep large sums of cash at home.
- Get to know your neighbors; keep their phone numbers handy in case of emergency.
- Use a "buddy system" with trusted neighbors and check on each other daily; look into "check-in" services provided by local police or senior citizen organizations.
- If a person at your door claims to be from the electric, gas or phone companies, ask for identification and the name of a supervisor. Contact the supervisor; only an imposter will mind the wait.
- Be aware of unfamiliar cars in your neighborhood.
- Don't admit strangers into your residence. If someone needs to use the phone, offer to make the call for them.

Beware Con Artists...

- Avoid large cash transactions. Use checks, get receipts.
- Have Social Security and other checks direct-deposited, rather than sent to your home.
- Be very careful when dealing with door-to-door solicitors, such as home repairmen. Deal with reputable, local businesses. Talk to trusted friends and relatives for recommendations. Get references; get contract terms in writing. Don't pay in cash.
- Watch out for schemes where strangers ask you to put up your own money in a show of "good faith", with the promise of a bigger jackpot later, or ask you to withdraw money from the bank to assist in catching a criminal. These are among several common cash frauds.
- Beware of telephone soliciting for money.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

While you're out...

- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you. If you must, have a friend accompany you. Never "flash" large sums of money.
- It's better to avoid carrying a purse, but if you must, keep it close to the body; don't let it dangle.
- Wallets should be carried in a front or inside jacket pocket, not in the back pocket.
- Whenever possible, stay in busy well-lighted areas.
- Have your keys in hand when you approach your car or house.
- If you return home and suspect an intruder, leave quietly and seek help - your safety is the most important consideration.

ICE - In Case of Emergency!

Paramedics will turn to a victim's mobile phone for clues to that persons identity. You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE. ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency". If you add an entry in the Contacts list in your mobile phone under ICE, with the name and phone number of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly. It only takes a few minutes of your time to do. Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it immediately.
ICE your mobile phone NOW!

Tips on Child Safety...

- Teach your child that a stranger is anyone you don't know.
- Teach your child never to go anywhere with a stranger under any circumstances.
- Teach your child that if someone grabs them to not scream but yell, "This is not my mom/dad!".
- Teach your child that if confronted by a stranger to run to a crowded area. Do not run and hide.
- Teach your child to walk to school with friends, never alone.
- Familiarize yourself with your child's routes to and from school and to their friend's houses.
- Teach your child their complete name and home address including city, state and ZIP code. They should also be taught their telephone number including area code.
- Never leave your child alone in a car.
- Prepare a plan to be followed if you or your child become separated in crowded areas.
- Do not put your child's name on his clothing, lunch box, etc. A stranger may try to use this to trick your child into believing he is a friend.