Sharing this Tips on Public Safety and Women’s Self Defense and Protection from the Philippine National Police

DO’s.

• Control the key to your residence.
• Refrain from giving your key to others.
• Immediately have the lock cylinder changed should you misplace or lose a key.
• Use strong door chains/bars on outdoor/gates.
• Lock windows and doors before your retire for the evening.
• Check visitors before opening the door thru a ‘peephole’ or the window.
• Turn on the lights if you leave your residence unoccupied at night.
• Light the paths leading to your house and garage.
• Let your trusted friend or neighbor check your residence while you are away.
• Post emergency telephone numbers in your home for easy contact in case of emergency.
• Use extreme caution if an unsolicited package is delivered to your residence.
• Report obviously unattended or suspected abandoned vehicles near your place to the police.
• Know your neighbors. Develop rapport with them and offer to keep an eye on each other’s homes.
• Install an alarm system to provide additional security to your home.
• Know your helpers. Check their background and records.

DON’Ts.

• Do not enter your residence if you sense that an intruder is inside.
• Do not open the door arbitrarily-check first who the person is.
• Do not open the door if you are suspicious of someone.
• Do not allow others to duplicate your keys without your permission.
• Do not leave a key under the mat, in the mail box or other obvious hiding places.
• Do not leave the house with all the lights switched off. At least one light should be left switched on for the house to be lighted when nighttime comes.
• Do not switch the inside light on when answering knocks on the front door after dark.

Other Home Safety Tips are the following:

• Secure your home. Always keep your doors and windows locked and evaluate the effectiveness of the locks. Never open your door to a stranger.
• Don’t let a stranger get inside your home to use the phone. Make the call for him.
• Never admit that you or a neighbor is home alone.
• Leave outside lights on at night and keep lights on in more than one room.
• If you receive an obscene phone call, hang up immediately. Don’t react.
• The area outside your main entrance should be lit properly so that there are no dark portions or shadows where a potential rapist can hide.
• Ensure that your main door has a peephole so that you know who you are opening your door to. If a stranger is at your door, inquire why he is there and open the door only if you are completely satisfied with his answer.
• Keep your curtains drawn as far as possible so that people cannot look into your home especially after nightfall.
• If you are expecting any deliveries or any utility service people, do not open the door to such people. If you must, ensure that the safety chain is hooked in place.

Source: People’s Tonight