October
is a good month to get into a habit of practicing safety since it’s now getting
darker earlier. Also, Halloween is around the corner, and it’s important that
you teach your children how to stay safe while they’re trick-or-treating. Here
are some steps that you and your family can take to stay safe and prevent crime
this time of year:
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Make practicing personal safety a habit. Know your surroundings and stay
attentive. Get to know the areas where you live and work and stick to well-lit,
busy areas. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, don’t
second-guess yourself. Leave immediately and call for help if you feel
concerned for your safety.
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Always lock your car and take the keys even if you’re just running in somewhere
for a few minutes. Lock your doors while you’re in the car. Make sure your car
is in good condition and your gas tank is always at least a quarter full. Park
in well-lit areas and if it’s dark, make sure there are people around when you
get in your car or have someone escort you to your car.
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Take precautions when using an ATM machine. Try to make visits during the day
when more people are around. If you go to an ATM machine when it’s dark, go to
a location that is in a busy area. Keep your doors locked and don’t spend much
time stopped at the machine after you have taken your money.
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Ensure safety at home. Lock all doors every time you leave even if it’s for a
short time, and make sure the locks are in good condition. Your porch areas,
driveway, and entry ways should be kept well-lit. Trim any bushes or trees that
cover doors and windows. Make sure your windows have good locks, especially the
ones at ground level. Give your house key to a trusted neighbor rather than
putting it under the doormat.
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Make sure your children are aware of everyday safety measures. Your children
should know how to call “911” or “0” for an emergency. Make sure that they know
your home address and phone number in addition to your cell phone and work
number. Rules should be set for when your children are home alone—such as
keeping doors and windows locked at all times and not telling telephone callers
that their parents are not home.
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Become familiarized with and share Halloween safety tips. Young children should
always be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating and taken around in a
familiar neighborhood early in the evening. Children that are not accompanied
by an adult should trick-or-treat with a group of friends and carry a
flashlight as well as a cell phone. Light-colored costumes and treat bags are a
good idea for both younger and older children. Your children should wait to eat
their candy until you have been able to check it thoroughly.
Practicing these safety tips will help you get into a pattern of staying safe
and preventing crime.
