Personal Safety Tips
From Community Service Officer Teresa Hayward of the Tucson Police Department
Hi Folks,
Someone asked that I post some safety tips. This is what I hand out at my apartment complex meetings. They are just a few of many, but I hope this helps:
Personal Safety Tips
Always walk with authority, displaying an air of confidence and purpose of destination. Always be alert to your surroundings.
What to Avoid While out Walking/Exercising
- Walking alone, if possible.
- Listening to loud music while wearing earphones.
- Dangling your purse.
- Displaying jewelry.
- Heavily overgrown areas (trees, weeds, shrubbery, etc.).
- Dark doorways, hallways, and parking lots.
- Alleys and little traveled/under lit side streets.
- Deserted parks and wooded areas, vacant lots and buildings.
- Warehouse and industrial areas.
- High crime rate areas.
Approaching Your Car
- Have keys ready before approaching your car.
- Look inside car before getting in; checking front and rear seat areas for intruder.
- Lock doors immediately upon entering (even before placing key in ignition).
While Driving
- Keep all doors locked.
- Keep windows rolled up, if possible.
- Never pick up hitchhikers.
- Be extremely cautious about stopping to render assistance in what appears to be emergency situations.
- Be alert to being followed by another vehicle.
- Relinquish only your car key to parking lot attendants, carwash attendants, etc. Always retain custody of house keys.
While Alone At Home
- Be highly selective in whom you admit.
- Require identification of repairmen, servicemen, etc.
- Do not allow entry if claiming to be repairman, serviceman, etc. and are not expected.
- Do not let phone caller know you are home alone.
- Keep doors and windows locked.
- Keep shades/drapes drawn after dark.
Please say safe!!
