Safety Tips for Traveling

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In our previous article we covered how to keep your home safe when you are away.  In this article we will cover how to keep you safe.  It is fun to visit different places and experience new things, but it is also great to return safely, with all our possessions intact.
Traveling is exciting and informative, but it can be taxing as well, what with the demands of scheduling, transfers and security lines.  In this article we will discuss ways you can stay safe whether you are traveling by plane, train or automobile.
Beside stopping the newspaper and mail, which was discussed in the earlier article.  It is a good idea that someone is given a copy  of your itinerary .  That person could be a family member, close friend or neighbor.  If something should happen to you, and you don’t arrive when expected, there will be someone who can notify the police.  These people should know where you are going, how you are traveling and where you are staying.  In the unlikely event that you disappear, the police have a place to start looking.
Always double check the plane departure time. Check to see if it is on time or delayed.  The same with trains and buses.
When on public transportation, sit near other people for safety.  There is usually safety in numbers.  When possible sit near the doors and locate the emergency exits.  Remember the nearest exit may be behind you.
Stay awake and alert when traveling on public transportation. But if you do nap, have your traveling companion keep watch while you get some sleep.
There are many manufacturers that offer products designed to hide your valuables, such as passports, money, credit cards, traveler’s checks and tickets.  It is a good idea to keep a good portion of your money in traveler’s checks and hidden in separate compartments.  When walking around, keep your money separate from your credit cards and passports.  If you are robbed, then they get the money, but not the harder to replace passport and credit cards.
Always keep your luggage close at hand and in sight.  Not only is it the safest way keep control, but in airports, the luggage could be confiscated by security.  It takes just a second for someone to walk off with your bags. Continue reading →

Safety Tips for Home While You Are Away

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By Gregory Colvin

So, planning a trip?  Here are a few simple tips that will go a long way in keeping your home safe while you are away.  Are they guaranteed to keep anyone from breaking into your home while you are gone?  No, but it will greatly increase the odds in your favor.

First and foremost, information is knowledge. Information has value.  Information must be kept under lock and key.  Whether the information is about where you are at any moment.  Whether it is if your home is vacant or your daily schedule, it has value to someone. Keeping that in mind, I realize that you are excited about your trip and want to share all the information about your exotic destination. You can’t wait to brag to your friends about where you are going and what you are going to be doing. Most important  how long you are going to stay.  The temptation is to post it on Facebook or Twitter or the vast array of social sites out there.  Should that information fall into the wrong hands, the criminals now know your house is vacant and how long they have to burglarize your home.  It is best to wait until you get back and then brag to your heart’s content.

Next.  Want a large flag waving in front of your home with words “We Are Not Home!”?  Just don’t notify the newspaper delivery person and the flag is unfurled. Nothing says vacant home like having newspapers, packages or mail stacking up outside the house. Simply having a neighbor or friend come by and pick up the newspapers and flyers  will make it appear that things are normal at home, while you are sunning in the south of France.

Prior to leaving for the airport, walk through the house and double check to be sure that all the doors and windows are locked.  Intruders usually take the path of least resistance.  A home with unlocked door or window is preferable to a locked door.  They may leave your house alone and look for an easier target.

Light timers are inexpensive. Timers attached to interior and exterior lights give the appearance of an occupied dwelling.  By replicating the times that you are usually in the different rooms, it will give a appearance that someone is home.

Have a friend stop by the house to check it periodically.  While they are there, have them open closed blinds and curtains and close open ones so that it appears that someone in home.

If you are going to be away for an extended period of time you may want to consider having a friend stay at the house or hire a house sitter to stay in the house. Unless the house sitter is someone that you know personally, ask for references. Call the references, unless you want to return to your house and find it looking like a rock band stayed the weekend. Continue reading →

Safety Tips To Avoid Becoming a Victim Of Sexual Assault

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By Gregory Colvin

Sexual assault prevention begins with being aware of your surroundings. In earlier articles I discussed observation and curiosity as safety tips.  Both observation and curiosity are relevant in the avoidance of a violent sexual attack.  Just because it hasn’t happened to you before and you are in familiar surroundings, it does not mean it cannot happen at any time.

Statistics from RAINN, the Rape Abuse & Incest Network, state that every 2 minutes in the US a sexual assault occurs.  There are 213,000 victims each year.  And of these 213,000 cases, 60% are not reported to the police.

More statistics, 44% of the victims are under age 15 and 80% are under the age of 30.

While many of the assailants are known to the  victim, however, the most violent attackers are unknown to the victim.  This article will hopefully provide you tips to avoid becoming a victim yourself.

Even in settlings that are familiar and you believe to be safe, stay aware of what is happening around you. See Observation and Curiosity articles.  If something doesn’t feel or look right, then it is better to err on the side of safety and turn back,  find an exit and seek help. Trust your inter consciousness.  If something is screaming at “you get out”, then it is time to run.

When in the city, whether familiar in surroundings or strange, walk as much as possible in well lighted areas.  Darkness is the assailant’s best friend.  My best suggestion is to walk with a group of people.  There really is safety in numbers.

When parking your vehicle, chose an area near a light post or a well lit area that will illuminate the car.  As you approach, look around the vehicle.  If it has been snowing, look for footprints, are there any around the car?  Is there glass on the pavement? Approach the car with caution. Peek into the rear seat and check to see if anyone is hiding there.  If anything appears out of the ordinary,  call the police or return to the office and get security, or tell the parking toll booth attendant.  Just do not get behind the wheel of the car, without someone else there to check it out with you.

When walking on the sidewalk, walk facing oncoming traffic.  It more difficult for someone to execute a snatch and grab when you are walking facing the traffic.  You are better able to monitor the traffic and notice if a vehicle slows down when approaching you.   A snatch and grab usually occurs when a vehicle pulls up beside you while you are walking along the street.  Walking facing traffic makes it  easier to see the approaching danger.

Dark alleys are great places to ambush someone.  So walk as close to the street as possible to avoid being pulled into the alley.

When walking along the city streets, wear comfortable shoes that allow you to escape if chased.  It is hard to run in heels.

When approaching your car always carry your keys in your hand.  Keep the ignition key between the index and middle finger.  If you have a smart key (these are keys that some vehicles now that do not require a key to insert in the ignition) put a house key on the ring.  This key can be used to strike the assault in the eye or throat or anywhere that you can imagine.  Aggregation will sometimes take the drive out of the assailant.  It can usually give you an opportunity to summon help.

Having your vehicle brake down on the roadway is a frustrating situation.  And when someone stops to help, it is a welcome relief.  However resist the urge to get out of your car.  The best idea is to ask them to call for a wrecker or the police.  Don’t leave your car and ride with them anywhere.

Never pickup hitchhikers. Never! And I repeat never!  This goes for men and women.  Sorry hitchhikers!

When at home alone, keep the doors and windows closed and locked.  The security system should be set so that it can be monitored by the alarm company.

Never allow a stranger to know that you home alone.  If someone comes to the door, shout out “I’ll get the door!” And then “How many times have I told to not to leave this loaded shotgun by the door!”

If someone comes to the door and asks to use the telephone, don’t open the door.  Instead tell them that you will make the call for them and ask for the phone number, without opening the door.

Ever see those movies, you know the ones, when the female comes home and sees the front open and she gets out of the car and walks into the house to see what has happened. Don’t be that person.  Quickly back the car out of the driveway and contact the police.

I feel very strongly that you must protect yourself.  The police do the best they can, but they cannot be everywhere.  And men, there are predators that stalk not only females, but men as well.

Remember:  Your Safety Is Up To You!

Gregory Colvin is a former police officer and author who has noticed how few people observe their surroundings.    He writes personal security and safety articles on the web.

Curiosity-As A Safety Tip

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By Gregory Colvin

Ever heard: “Curiosity Killed the Cat”?   I don’t know about cats, but curiosity could save your life.

Animals in the wild are very curious.  It is that curiosity that keeps them alive.  At the slightest sound their ears perk up and the head turns toward the source of the sound.  They prepare to flee or defend themselves.

Many of you are saying, but the hero and heroine or the extra in the movies are always following their curiosity and walking into a horrible death.  The curiosity I am talking about doesn’t involve walking into a trap, but away from it.  The information in this article relates back to my article on “Observation”.

In unfamiliar surroundings,  for example,  parking garages, parking lots, subways and subway exits, bus stops and, well you get the idea, make it a habit to be curious about activity around you. This is especially important in those areas that are familiar, because you tend to drop your guard.  Be aware and ask, does something appear a little outside the normal?  Listen.  The sound of footsteps that stop when you stop. A car or van that is pacing you  when walking down the street.

Curiosity.  In a foreign country, a strange city or the forest, monitor what is going on around you and ask yourself,  is that normal?    Too many times,  I have seen people who walk around in a daze.  They may be reading emails or text messages or unaware about their surroundings.  These people are easy marks for predators.  Not to mention, they may never find their way back to their hotel rooms.

Curiosity can keep you out of dangerous situations.  For example, why is that guy wearing an full length coat on a 90 degree day and walking into my bank?  Is he making a fashion statement or hiding something under the coat.  You may want to reconsider your deposit to avoid being a hostage in a bank robbery.  You can be the one to call 911.


A few examples that come to mind.   That strange guy at the bar, you know, the one that keeps eyeing you and gets up to leave when you do.  OOOH that’s right, you were busy texting your BBF about your great night.  In the meantime,  you have a tail.  Someone you are about to meet up close and personal either at your car or before you get that far.  Wait to text until you are securely seated in your car and speeding down the highway, better to die in a fiery accident than to be raped and cut into a dozen pieces, then buried in a shallow grave.  Or better yet,  wait to get home and then text.

I usually fight to get the seat facing the door, wherever I am.  I know that I will pay more attention than my tablemates about what is going on around us than they will, and I am usually right. If I’m not facing the door,  I feel like a sitting duck.  If you are sitting facing the door, just check from time to time who comes through the door.  The world has changed.  More nuts have guns than ever before.  The gun is a very impersonal weapon.  You don’t have to get close to your victim, you can kill them from across the room.  An early warning may give you time to escape.  Run, stay close to the floor.  If there are too many people blocking the exit,  throw a chair or heavy object through a window and jump out.  This only works if you are on the first floor.  Just get out of the range of the assailant.   Regardless of what you have seen in the movies or television, the only effective weapon against a gun is another or bigger gun.

Unless you have a very powerful guardian angel.  And in that situation, it is not a good idea  to test him or her.  They may be on vacation.  Even angels need a break.  Especially with someone like me.   The list is endless.  Curiosity is your friend.  Just as long as it doesn’t lead down to the darkened  basement.

Remember:     Your Survival Is Up To You.

Gregory Colvin is a former police officer and author who has noticed how few people observe their surroundings.    He writes personal security and safety articles on the web.