Neighborhood Safety Tips

BURGLARY PREVENTION:

Here are some tips to follow to protect yourself from burglary.

Items left in vehicles: Make sure you have not left anything of value in your vehicle that would make it a target. Do not leave CD's or CD cases in plain sight.

Vehicles with expensive wheels: A wheel lock nut might just do the trick. Check your local tire/automotive store for availability and installation.

Outdoor lighting: Most of the houses are equipped with lights that turn on automatically when it gets dark. A number of residents have not replaced burned out bulbs thus creating dark areas on their property. If you are concerned about energy usage, purchase the coiled fluorescent bulbs which use less energy and last a long time. Keeping the lights on should help deter criminal activity.

More tips can be found at the following sites:

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CHILD SAFETY:

Children and Traffic: Encourage your children to play in areas away from the streets. If a ball goes into the street, they should be reminded to look both ways before retrieving the ball. If a vehicle is driving by, they should wait until after the vehicle has passed before retrieving the ball.

Things kids should know in order to protect themselves:

  1. Where they can and can't go in the neighborhood. Make sure kids know whose home they are allowed to visit without you. Teach them to contact you immediately if they will be out later than their curfew.

  2. Their name, address, telephone number, how to use a telephone and how to dial "911" in case of an emergency. Even young children should know these things. If you have a cell phone, make sure your child has the number and that the phone is always turned on. Teach them to call the designated "back-up" family member or trusted friend if they are unable to reach you.

  3. That the same safety rules still apply as kids get older, including using the "buddy system" and letting you know where they are at all times.

  4. To always keep the door locked when home alone and not to open the door for anyone. Make sure your child knows not to tell anyone who calls or comes to the door that they are home alone.

  5. That adults do not need to ask children for directions or for help finding a puppy or kitten. Teach your child that it is okay to be suspicious of an adult who seems too friendly.

  6. That because someone knows their name it doesn't mean the child should trust that person.

  7. To trust their instincts. If someone approaches them or tries to take them away, they should yell, "this is not my mother/father!" Teach your child that it is okay not to be polite in this case.

More tips can be found at the following sites:

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