Community Services Division
Personal Safety Tips
Personal Safety In Your Car
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• Keep your car in good working order.
• Always keep your doors locked while driving.
• Always park in well visible and lighted areas
• Avoid parking next to larger vehicles
• Have keys ready when approaching your vehicle
• Keep all valuables locked in trunk or hidden out of sight
• If you are being followed, drive to the nearest police or fire station
• Use caution in underground parking garages
• A cellular phone may be a good investment
• Do not stop for stranded motorist, use cell phone or go to nearest phone booth and call for assistance
• Do not pick up hitchhikers!!!!!
• If you have a flat tire, drive to a safe area
• Carry in your car a flashlight, fix-a-flat, warm clothing, portable fire extinguisher, first aid kit, empty gas can and a window with CALL 911 on it.
Personal Safety In Your Home-
• Have lights at all entrances.
• Have a wide angle door viewer on all exterior doors.
• Have good locks on all doors and windows.
• Do not open door to unexpected visitors.
• Do not hide keys in easily accessible places.
• Do not let strangers in your home under no circumstances.
• Ask for photo I. D. on all repair persons.
• Never give personal information to phone solicitors.
Personal Safety On The Street
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• Never Hitchhike! It's not worth the risk.
• Be careful when using walk up ATM's or drive-up ATM's.
• When walking, walk with confidence and purpose.
• Do not read while walking or standing.
• Do not wear headphones while walking or jogging.
• Do not overload yourself with a lot of packages. Keep your hands free as possible.
• Avoid being on the street alone.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. It could make you a target.
Personal Safety On A Bus or Subway
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• Use only well-lighted busy stops. Do not enter poorly lit tunnels or stairwells alone. Try to stay with a group of people.
• Have exact fare when boarding. Be careful when opening your purse or wallet in a crowd.
• The safest place to sit is near the driver in an aisle seat so you can move easily if necessary.
• Do not sit in an empty train car alone. Sit where there are other passengers.
• Stay alert at all times. Try not to sleep.
• If you get harassed, loudly say, "Leave me alone!!!. If that does not work, hit the emergency button.
• Observe people at your stop. If you feel uncomfortable, go to the next stop.
• Watch out for homeless people and vagabonds who hang out at bus or train stops and do not give them money if they ask for it.
Personal Safety When Shopping
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• Don't display large sums of cash in public. Be discreet about money or other valuables you carry.
• Be alert in public restrooms. If anything seems suspicious, leave immediately and contact security.
• Stay alert in crowds to protect your valuables.
• Do not keep your keys or personal information in your purse in case it is lost or stolen. Someone can find it and have your information.
• Try to park as close to the entrance of the mall or store as possible.
• Make a note or by some other means remember your parking spot or area.
• Have your keys out before leaving the mall or store.
• If you are alone at night, request security to walk you to your car.
• Keep all packages you have purchased in the trunk of your car.
• Be alert when approaching your vehicle to enter into it. Check underneath the vehicle and inside before entering it.
• These safety tips are designed to help you reduce and minimize the chances of you becoming a victim. These tips in no wise guarantee that you will never be a victim of a crime. Remember that personal safety is everyone's responsibility. This brochure is a public service of the Alton Police Department Community Services Unit.
