Personal Safety Inside Your Home

• Lock your doors and windows, even while you're inside.
• Use deadbolt locks on the doors while you're inside.
• When answering the door, see who is there by looking through a window or peephole. If you don't know the person, first talk to him or her without opening the door. Don't open the door if you have any doubts.
• Be careful in giving out keys, gate cards, or lock combinations.
• Don't put your name, address, or phone number on your key ring.
• Check your smoke detector monthly for dead batteries or malfunctions.
• Check your door locks, window latches, and other security devices regularly to be sure they are working properly.
• Close your curtains, blinds, windows, and nightshades at night.
• Mark or engrave identification on valuable personal property.

Personal Safety Outside Your Home

• Lock your doors while you're gone.
• Leave a radio or TV playing softly while you're gone.
• Close and lock your windows when you're away, especially when you're on vacation.
• Tell your roommate or spouse where you're going and when you'll be back.
• Don't walk alone at night, and don't allow your family members to do so.
• Don't hide a key under the doormat or a nearby flowerpot. These are the first places a burglar will look. Install a key lockbox for extra keys.
• Don't give entry codes or electronic gate cards to anyone.
• Use lamp timers when you go out in the evening or go away on vacation.
• Let your friends and neighbors know if you'll be gone for an extended time. Ask your neighbors to watch your home.
• While on vacation, have your newspaper delivery stopped or ask a friend to pick up your newspaper each day. In addition, have the Post Office temporarily stop your mail delivery.
• Carry your door key in your hand, whether it's daylight or nighttime, when walking to your entry door. You're more vulnerable when looking for your keys at the door.

Personal Safety in Your Car

• Lock your car doors while driving. Lock your car doors and roll up the windows when leaving your car parked.
• Don't leave exposed valuables or other items, such as purses, briefcases or packages, in your car.
• Don't leave your keys in your car.
• Try to park your car in an off-street parking area rather than on the street. If you park on the street, park near a streetlight.
• Check the back seat before getting in your car.

(The above brochures are in PDF format. Download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Web Links 

National School Safety Center
"The National School Safety Center serves as an advocate for safe, secure and peaceful schools worldwide and as a catalyst for the prevention of school crime and violence. NSSC provides school communities and their school safety partners with quality information, resources, consultation, and training services. The Center identifies and promotes strategies, promising practices and programs that support safe schools for all students as part of the total academic mission." 

Family Education Network
"Welcome to Family Education Network, the best of the Internet's content, resources, and shopping for parents, teachers, and kids. Launched in September 2000, the company's mission is to be an online consumer network of the world's best learning and information resources, personalized to help parents, teachers, and students of all ages take control of their learning and make it part of their everyday lives."