Women Safety Tips: Staying Safe at Home

I found these helpful tips from middletownborough.com and many of them may seem like common knowledge but it doesn't hurt to see them again.

Adapted from Safety Tips for Women

8 Tips for Staying Safe at Home

1. Make sure you have adequate lighting around the entrance of your house or apartment. If you live in an apartment without proper outdoor lighting contact your building manager or landlord to inquire about that.

2. Use your initial rather than your first name on your door, your mailbox, in the phone book, and on magazine and monthly statements you receive by mail.

3. Use caution in conversations with strangers. Avoid giving your name, address, or place of employment.

4. If a stranger asks to use your telephone, do not permit them to enter your home or apartment. Offer to summon emergency assistance by making the telephone call yourself (with the door locked).

5. Always check through the peep hole before opening the door. If you don't have a peephole in your door consider having one installed. Open your door as far as the security chain permits when talking to a stranger.

6. Always check a person's identification if they state they were sent to your home by their business or company. Phone the person's company or business to see if they were really sent to your home (better to be safe than sorry). You must also be aware that the person could have an accomplice who might answer your phone call. They might say that the person was sent to your home by the business or company. Use your phone book or the Internet (if available) to look-up the number. Do not use the number the person gives you.

7. If you receive wrong number calls, never reveal your name or address or admit you are alone. Do not give your phone number to an unknown caller, but ask what number they are calling. Do not prolong the conversation. Hang up. Notify the police about obscene calls.

8. Police officers will display credentials whenever asked. You should always request salespeople and repairmen to show proper identification before admitting them into your home.