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23 Dec 2010

How to Prepare for Winter Weather

Preparing for winter weather involves more than just buying salt and hot chocolate.

Stock up on non-perishables, like canned goods, and make sure you have adequate medical supplies and prescriptions.

I have worked winter storms that have wrecked havoc on the unprepared – cold weather can kill – and it can cause accidents that kill and maim. Just because you have a 4 wheeled drive does not mean you can stop on ice.

Use the Common Sense Steps Below:

Know the difference between a weather WATCH and a weather WARNING: a watch means conditions are right for the event the advisory names and you should be ready to take protective action; a warning means that event is imminent and you should take protective action now.
Fill several large containers with water and store them appropriately.
Keep flashlights, batteries, candles and matches on hand.
Trim trees around the service line(s) entering your home. Keep areas surrounding electrical service equipment clear.
If you decide to use a generator or space heater, carefully review and follow all safety procedures in the owners’ manual. If you’ve lost the owners’ manual, get it replaced.
Close off unused rooms to conserve heat. Open curtains and shades to let sunlight in; close them at night.
Keep your car’s gasoline tank at least half-full.
Tune often to local weather forecasts.
If you have special needs, such as life support equipment, be prepared in advance in the event you lose power.

16 Dec 2010

Using an ATM Safely

ATM Security and using an ATM safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24- hours a day doesn’t mean it is safe to use it. Most ATM robberies occur at night between 8:00 PM and midnight.

Makeup of the Typical Suspect

The typical ATM robber are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash.

Typical Victim of a ATM Robbery

Additionally, most ATM robbery victims are women and were alone when robbed. Generally, these women state that they never saw the robber coming. This is another good reason to review the awareness information in Cooper’s color codes.

Here are some tips that can make Using an ATM safer:

Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas. Don’t use ATM machines that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, behind pillars, walls, or away from public view. Beware of obvious hiding places like shrubbery or overgrown trees. ATM robbers like to have the element of surprise and no witnesses. Robbers like good escape routes like nearby freeway on-ramps or high-speed thoroughfares.
Choose an ATM that looks and ‘feels’ safer, even if it is a couple of miles out of the way. Try and limit your use to daylight hours. Take someone with you after hours, if you can. When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons. If you see anyone suspicious standing nearby, or sitting in a car, drive away. When you approach an ATM on foot be prepared and have your access card ready. Memorize your personal PIN number to prevent loss and speed the transaction. After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you. Never accept an offer to help or request for help from a suspicious male ahead of you at the machine. If anyone suspicious or seemingly dangerous approaches terminate your transaction and leave immediately, even if it means running away and leaving your ATM card in the machine. First, tell the suspicious male in a loud, firm voice to “back-off” and leave you alone. This is designed to startle the person and give you time to flee, if appropriate. When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately, extract your card, and walk away.
If you use your car at a drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply. Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the ATM machine. Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction. Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the driver’s side. If you see anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your ATM card behind. If an armed robber confronts you, just give up your money without argument. The cash is not worth serious injury or death. Get to a safe place and call the police immediately.
If lights around the ATM are not working, don’t use that machine
Avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places
Have your card ready and leave quickly, not counting your cash in public
Beware of offers for help from strangers during an ATM transaction
Don’t fight with or attempt to follow the robber

9 Dec 2010

How to Avoid Crime While Parked

Avoiding Crimes When Parked — Buy at Amazon

I want to share a short article on how to go about how to avoid crime while parked. A parked vehicle, specifically an unattended vehicle is a magnet for theft.

I went to a sponsored a workshop in Memphis. We were to plan how to respond to a catastrophic earthquake on the New Madrid Fault-line. The hotel was a fancy downtown establishment with valet parking and a fenced parking lot.

Responders from all over Middle and West TN came in there marked emergency response vehicles. They were mostly from sheriff departments and state law enforcement. 33 marked police vehicles were broken into during the first hour of the conference. This happened in broad daylight in a fenced valet parking lot.

Certainly, it was Memphis. Most importantly, and I did notice a five pointed crown (gang sign) tattoos on the hand of the lady assigned to help us in the conference room.

Theft and Vandalism

Wherever possible, provide each dwelling with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible common car parks are the next best thing.
Where private garages are not feasible, carport or driveway parking is preferable to group parking away from dwellings.
As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided. They are a breeding ground for vandalism and crime. If they already exist, limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates could minimize danger. Each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with robust, vandal proof metal doors. Alternatively, users can be provided with a secure lock or a plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors.
Grouped car parks should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some dwellings. Additionally, garages should be equipped with sturdy gates or tilt doors. The car park should never be sited near a dark alleyway.
Likewise, open car parks should be small and within view of dwellings. Visitors’ car parks should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and visible from dwellings.

Rape, Assault, Robbery

To make car parks safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.

Car parks should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings.
Parking areas should be have lights. They should also free from shrubbery.
Electronic entry control devices should limit access to enclosed parking.
Similarly, if it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parks is monitored as well.
Additionally, high crime areas may need advanced technological surveillance. An example of this is an infrared unit which detects the presence of intruders by body heat. The unit automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can’t really stop crime when you are not around, but with proper planning you can surely reduce it.

25 Nov 2010

How to Avoid Violent Crimes

Avoiding Violent Crimes is something that takes awareness and common sense. A mindset that enhances personal safety takes effort and constant vigilance, but it is not the same as acting all barney fife.

Col. Jeff Cooper had the right idea when it came to avoiding violent crimes when he established his color codes. You can gain a lot from learning to stay aware and ready to act without being on edge and paranoid.

In the article below, you can get some great tips on how to avoid being the victim of a violent crime.

Sexual Assault

Use initials instead of first names on mailboxes and phone listings.
Avoid remaining alone in an apartment laundry room or parking garage.
Never admit on the telephone or at the door that you are alone.
It is risky to accept a ride home from someone you have just met.
If you decide to physically resist assault, remember that your goal is to incapacitate the attacker long enough to run to safety and get help.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault, call police immediately. Do not bathe or change clothes or you may destroy evidence.

Robbery

Avoid carrying valuable items or large amounts of money.
Always think ahead. For example, when traveling at night, have your keys ready to enter the house or to start the car.
If you are confronted by a robber, the best advice is to cooperate.
If you resist, there is a greater chance that you may be hurt.

Bank Machines

When using an automatic bank teller, always be watchful of any suspicious people around you.
The chances of being robbed at night are much greater, especially if you are alone.
If you find someone waiting and watching outside in the area of an ATM machine, do not use it. Leave the area and report the incident to the police immediately. You could save someone else from being a victim of crime.

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