How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
Exercises
1. Home Safety Checklist
Beside each item below place a check mark where the recommended procedure has been followed.
1. Do you have a list with the following items:
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the address and location of your local police and fire stations, -
the direct phone number of your local police division,
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police recommendations for safety precautions in your area,
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where outdoor pay phones are located in your area,
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which stores, restaurants, and gas stations are open late so that you can ask for assistance in an emergency.
2. Have you verified that:
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all entrances are well lit to discourage people lurking in the shadows,
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the house numbers are large, clear and visible,
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doors are equipped with a peep hole to allow you to see out clearly,
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outside doors are solid and have a one-inch dead-bolt lock,
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windows and sliding doors have locks,
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valuables in the home have been inscribed with identification numbers using police recommended tools or you have recorded serial numbers,
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one room (e.g., bathroom or bedroom closet) has a lock and can be used as a "safe room" in case of emergency.
2. Identity Game
This game develops your family's skill in identifying people. Have people look at a magazine photo, or someone on the television or on the street for only a few seconds. Then have them verbally recite a description concentrating on the general features first, and then on their more specific features. Below is a checklist of items to look for from general features to more specific ones:
1. SEX
2. SKIN COLOR
3. APPROXIMATE AGE
4. APPROXIMATE HEIGHT
5. APPROXIMATE WEIGHO
6. BODY BUILD
7. HAIR COLOR
8. EYE COLOR
9. ANY SCARS?
10. ANY PHYSICAL ABNORMALITIES
11. SPEECH ACCENT OR PITCH
12. EXACT CONVERSATION
13. FACIAL HAIR
14. RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED 15.WEAPON USED
16. TEETH FORMATION AND COLOR
17. LICENSE PLATE NUMBER
18. CAR MAKE AND MODEL AND ORIGIN (e.g., Province/State)
3. Test Your Awareness
Answers to the following questions are included in this resource. Have fun!
1. There are four key elements to personal safety. The first two are "Think" and "Talk". What are the other two? What do they all mean?
2. When walking by yourself or with other people, what is the most important thing to remember? 3. When walking, should you always carry the key you are going to use next? Why?
4. Which side of the road or sidewalk should you walk on Ñ the one facing traffic or on the other side? Why?
5. What should you do if you are asked for information or money on the street?
6. What is the proper way to carry a purse/briefcase or camera case?
7. What should you do if you feel someone is following you?
8. When should you lock your car doors?
9. Should you ever hitchhike? Why?
10. What should you do if someone unexpected comes to your door?
11. What safety precautions should you take when using public transportation?
12. Why should you have locks and windows on your outside doors and windows?
13. What should you do in response to obscene phone calls?
14. What should you do if you see/suspect a prowler outside your home or the home of a neighbor?
15. When giving police a description of someone, what basic features should you include?
16. What are at least five tips you can pass along to your children, your family and your friends?
