Safer Seniors - Personal Safety Linda Slota, Director "Walk The Walk" 1. Walk with confidence and with an assertive attitude. Be aware of your surroundings at all time. 2. Carry purse or other valuables snugly, secured on your person; wallets should be in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket. Don't leave such items in a shopping cart or on a store counter for "just a moment." 3. Carry only the cash and credit cards you need for a shopping trip. Make sure you have an up-to-date list of the account numbers and loss notification numbers at home. 4. Save your credit card/debit card receipts and check them against your bill each month. 5. On public transporation, stay near the driver or other operator, get off at a busy stop, if possible. 6. Don't keep large amounts of cash on your person or in your home. 7. Walk or run errands with a friend. It is more fun and it is safer. Hint: When you can, go places in a group or with a friend. If you walk with friends at dusk or early evening, wear light colored clothing, or better yet, apply some reflective stickers to your clothing.   "Home Safety"

1. Ask police to conduct a free home security review to help you identify areas that may need special attention.

2. Make sure all entry doors are solid wood (not hollow-core) or metal wherever possible; install sturdy deadbolt locks and use them. Make sure windows on ground levels are secured with appropriate locks.

3. Be sure doors have wide angle vierwer (peepholes) placed conveniently for everyone in the household. Some viewers magnify the image, helpful to those with vision impairments.

4. Trim trees and shrubs so that crooks cannot use them for cover. Consider hiring a teen from the neighborhood to help.

5. Store ladder, mowers, garden tools, and the like when you are not using them.

6. Keep valuables out of easy view. Purses, wallets, holiday gifts, and the like should not be readily visible from the door or the street.

7. Someone at the door? Use your viewer and don't unlock the door unless you know and welcome the visitor or you have made a positive identification by calling the employer yourself.

8. Concerned about strangers in your home, even from reliable repair companies? Ask a friend to come by and visit with you while the work is being done.

9. Beware of swindlers who try to sell you "driveway repairs" or "roof work" because they were "just driving through the neighborhood." Keep them out of your house and out of your wallet.

10. Keep the emergency numbers right next to every telephone. List your address, too, in case a friend needs to call for you in an emergency.

11. Don't advertise vacation plans or out-of-home social gatherings in advance. Burglars look for such clues.

12. Tell a trusted neighbor or two if you will be away overnight or longer; ask them to watch your home for suspicious activity and offer to return the favor.

13. Keep an eye on other homes in your neighborhood too. Report suspiscious cars, people and activities to the police. Jot down the license plate numbers if you can safely do so.

"Auto Safety"

1. Keep your car well-maintained and your gas tank at least half-full at all times.

2. Always keep your car locked, whether you are in or out of it.

3. Stow packages and valuables in the trunk, not in plalin view. Keep mail and other items with your name and address on them out of sight.

4. Get your keys out before you get to your car. Check around the vehicle and inside for anyone hiding. If you see people "hanging around" or if some thing feels wrong, go back to a safe place and call for help.

5. If you ever think you are bing followed, or if you are every "bumped" by another driver under suspicious circumstances head for a lighted, busy area - a 24 hour convenience store or a gas station, or police or fire station that is staffed around the clock. Don't go home.

6. If your car breaks down, get as far off the roadway as possible. Raise the hood, tie a cloth to the door handle or display a "call police" sign in the rear window, and lock yourself in the car. If someone offers to help, ask them to call police for you. Consider having a cellular phone for summoning emergency help.

"Safety Tip"

Always carry a care emergency kit that includes: a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight and bottled water.