Household Safety Tips - PNP

The PNP Crime Prevention and Safety Tips is a highly recommended reading
material that each family should take time to discuss together in one
sitting.

URL: http://www.pnp.gov.ph/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=95

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The Philippine National Police is dedicated to ensuring public safety and reducing the fear and the incidence of crime in the country. But there are many things each and every person can do to reduce his or her chances of becoming a victim or prevent crime from happening. Below are crime prevention tips for your home, your business, yourself and your family. We urge you to familiarize yourself with the information contained in this section and to make crime prevention, awareness and education a part of your everyday life.

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HOUSEHOLD SAFETY TIPS

* Make it a habit to inform members or housemates on your where about. Know also the places where your love ones frequently go. Know their friends and the people they usually go out with.
* Conduct a thorough background check on any person you are hiring as driver, household help, baby sitter, gardener or security guard. Require them to secure clearances from the police, NBI, and the barangay.
* In answering the phone, do not divulge your name and important information to strangers. Always take down the names of callers and their messages including the date and time of their calls.
* If you are a woman and live alone, list only your first initial and last name on the mailbox, or in the telephone directory.
* Never let strangers into your home to use the telephone. Make the call for them while they wait outside.
* If you receive a wrong number phone call, don’t give out your name or phone number.
* If you receive an obscene phone call, hang up and call the police.
* Be alert and aware of your surroundings before opening the gate or the door. If possible, use a safety latch on the door. Immediately report any suspicious person or vehicle seen in the vicinity. Beware of people befriending your household help or who are asking too many questions about those in the house.
* When arriving home by private or public conveyance like a taxi, ask the driver to wait until you are safety inside.
* Have the door key in your hand so you can open the door immediately when you return home.
* Know who is at your door before opening it. Wide angle door viewers (180 degrees or 190 degrees) enable you to identify the visitor. You can see the person, but that person can’t see you.
* Never rely on chain locks. They are only a private lock, not a security lock.
* Never let anyone into your home without proper identification. Don’t be afraid to ask for identification.
* When moving in to a new apartment or residence, always have the locks re-keyed, or changed.
* Never dress in front of windows. Always close the drapes when doing so.
* If you suspect anyone is in your house. Do not go in. Go to a neighbor and call the police.
* Always leave outside lights on after dark, or use motion lights.
* List important information, like serial numbers of appliances in the house. This will aid in the recovery of stolen items.
* Secure valuables, like money, jewelry, and important documents in a safe to protect them from robbery or fire.
* Avoid displaying valuable things in the backyard to prevent any break-in. Keep them out of sight and out of reach from the outside.
* Use widow curtains to prevent people from seeing the inside of the house.
* Unplug all electrical appliances before leaving the house or better yet, turn off the main fuse to prevent electrical fire.
* Entrust your house only to people you absolutely trust or ask relatives to remain in your house until you return.
* Post a list near the telephone containing emergency numbers of the Police Station, Fire Station, and Barangay headquarters in your locality.
* If you see or hear anything suspicious, call the police.

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SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN

* Instruct children not to stay outdoors without the company of parents or guardians to avoid being victim of abduction.
* If your children have to go out with other companions, know the identities of their companions and the address and telephone number of the place they are going to. Know the background of your children’s fried.
* Warn children not to talk or receive anything from strangers. If such strangers are persistent, advice children to shout, run, and immediately inform their parents, relatives, or authorities such as teachers, security guards or police.
* Always coordinate with the school regarding the security of the children. Inform the school authorities that they are prohibited from divulging any information about your children and giving away their pictures without your permission.
* Inform the school on who is authorized to fetch your child. This arrangement must not be violated until you yourself give word of any change In the arrangement.
* In crowd places such as malls, keep your children close to you and keep an eye on them at all times. Children are prone to wander off.
* Warn teenage children, especially females, against smooth-talking and dubious characters who may have criminal’s intentions or who are bad influences or appear to be bad influences.

REMEMBER: Children are easy prey to crimes because of their innocence. Parents and guardians must exert efforts to ensure their safety.

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SAFETY MEASURES IN THE STREETS

* Secure your wallet. Do not place it in a loose pocket such as the jacket pocket.
* Do not carry large amounts of money or wear expensive jewelry when riding in a public transport such as bus, jeepney or taxi.
* Pass through secured and well-lighted walkways. Avoid dark shortcuts and tight spots. Familiarize yourself with the vicinity. If you noticed that someone is intentionally following you, immediately seek refuge in a building with a security guard.
* Walk on the sidewalk opposite the flow of traffic in order to see any vehicle coming towards your way.
* Use caution in parking lots and those areas near shrubs or with shrubs.
* Be ready with the key to the gate or door so that you won’t stay too long outside the gate.
* Don’t accept rides from strangers, and don’t respond to comments from strangers on the streets.
* Don’t hitchhike. If someone suspicious is following you, cross the street and walk into an open business area.
* Watch your surrounding and be alert for suspicious persons, especially around banks, stores, streets, and in your cars or homes.
* Be calm and maintain presence of mind if a crime is being committed in your midst. Remember the appearance of the criminal and noticeable details such as tattoos, color of the hair and speech irregularities. They will aid the police in his capture.
* Do not attempt to argue with or fight off armed criminals. They are dangerous and maybe mentally and emotionally unstable. Be calm in speaking to them.
* When riding a taxi especially at night, write down important identifying details such as plate numbers, body markings, color of the taxi. Even the time and place when and where you boarded the taxi.
* When riding alone in taxi, always be at the rear seat of the vehicle.
* Stay alert against snatchers when walking or when aboard any public transports especially when seated near the widow or entrance of the vehicle. Avoid using your cellphone while walking to prevent being a victim of snatching.
* If you are going to be out late, make sure you have a cab fare.
* If someone in the bus bothers you, change seats and tell the operator.
* If you ride with another person, sit near the control panel, and if attacked, press as many of the control buttons as possible.
* Have your fare or pass ready in hand when boarding the bus.
* At night, avoid dark and isolated intersections or stops.
* Look around when getting off the bus or trolley, and be aware of people around you.

REMEMBER: People who are easily victimized on the streets are those who are careless and are unaware of their surroundings.

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PREVENTION AGAINST CARNAPPING ANG CARJACKING

* Install a warning alarm on your vehicle.
* Do not leave valuables inside the vehicle.
* Never pick up hitchhikers.
* Don’t park in the dark.
* Never leave keys in the car.
* Use safety locks or child-locks on the doors or windows of your vehicle at all times to prevent any criminal from entering your vehicle especially when you are stuck in the traffic.
* Never allow an unknown vehicle follow you home.
* If your vehicle breaks down in an unsafe place at night, especially if you are a female, stay inside your vehicle, lock all doors and windows and use your cell phone to call for help.
* When walking to your car, have your keys in your hand so you can open the car door without delay.
* Always keep your car in gear when stopped at a traffic signal or stop sign, so that if threatened in any way, you can quickly drive away.
* Always check the backseat of your car before getting in.
* If a person at the roadside is waving for help due perhaps to a flat tire or engine trouble, drive past that person and stop at a safe distance before using your phone to call for help or seek help from the police or highway patrol.
* Always lock your door while driving.
* Do not trust watch-your-car boys when you park outside building. They may be serving as spotters or look-outs for car thieves.
* Always prearrange meetings with anyone so you do not have to wait alone.
* Immediately change your ignition switch in case you lose the ignition key of your vehicle.
* Do not allow your driver to sleep inside your vehicle while waiting for you. They are easy targets of armed car thieves.
* Do not leave your parking ticket inside the vehicle.

REMEMBER: Highly skilled car thieves can easily steal or break into cars. Be security-conscious all the time.

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PREVENTING SEX CRIMES

* Avoid wearing sexually suggestive clothing.
* Do not accept free rides from strangers.
* Avoid being in an elevator with a stranger.
* Be alert against rapist. Move fast and use any defense tactics such as scratching the face, kicking the groin, biting or simply shouting.
* If the rapist is too strong to overcome or he is armed or he is with group, reason with him or convince him that you have infectious disease such as Hepatitis B or AIDS.
* Avoid walking along crime-prone streets especially when alone. These streets are usually situated near places of ill-repute.
* If an attacker flees, continue shouting and creating commotion until you find refuge and help.
* Go home early. But if you cannot avoid going on overtime, it is better to wait for sunrise before going home. If you really have to go home, ask the security guard or anyone you know to walk you to your car or take down the number of your taxi cab, should you decide to ride in one.
* If you are alone at work after business or office hours, keep your doors locked.
* It is never a good idea to go to a nightclub alone.
* Do not allow alcohol or drugs to impair your judgment. If you haven’t already set social standards, do so and stick to them. Do not allow an overly aggressive pursuer to change your mind.

REMEMBER: Alertness and presence of mind will ward off.

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PREVENTING KIDNAPPING

* If you and your family are possible targets of kidnapping, avoid falling into predictable routines such as travel routes to and from the office, and departure and arrival schedules.
* Instruct companion in the house, officemates or colleagues not to give away information about you and your daily routines.
* Avoid stating your identity in ads posted when selling a large property. This attracts unnecessary attention to your wealth.
* Avoid a lifestyle of excess; this invites danger for you and your family.
* Know your neighbors and communicate with them frequently. They can inform you of suspicious people who are asking questions about you and your family.
* Be conscious of suspicious vehicles that may be tailing you.
* Remember the procedures in case kidnappers block your vehicle. Your correct immediate reaction and audacity can save you against kidnappers.

REMEMBER: Secure your wealth, otherwise it will invite harm.

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AVOID BEING VICTIMS OF CYBERCRIMES AND ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT

* Beware of “get-rich-quick” promos in the internet or through text messages claiming that you have been randomly selected as the winner of a raffle or sweepstakes draw. These are usually scams or practical jokes even if they claim to have DTI permits.
* Do not fall for internet messages claiming that you have been made a beneficiary of the money of rich people from other countries such as Nigeria. These are schemes of transnational crime syndicates.
* Do not accept any package or parcel from the mail or delivery services if you do not know the source; it may contain illegal materials, contrabands or drugs.
* Refuse any request to handcarry packages from other people you know. You will surely land in jail if such packages contain illegal substances.
* Be on guard against illegal recruiters for jobs abroad. Check first with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) if the recruitment agency is legal. Further, confirm if there is a job order. Legal placement Fees must not exceed a month’s wages.
* Do not give out important information such as ATM count numbers, e-mail passwords or credits card numbers on the internet or to a call center representative.
* Avoid communicating with strangers in chat rooms recruiting you for clandestine internet business. You may end up a victim of cyber-sex or human trafficking syndicates.

REMEMBER: Gullible people are targets of Cyber-criminals and illegal recruiters.

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IF YOU ARE ATTACKED ALWAYS REMEMBER

* Use common sense. Try to talk your way out of it.
* Try to negotiate.
* Stall for time.
* Be verbally assertive.
* Distract or divert the assailant, then flee. Run toward an open business are or towards a public place where is a group of people. Hide if you can get the opportunity.
* Scream as loud as possible, and keep it up to attract attention and help from people nearby.
* During an armed attack, you must decide the proper course of action.
* There is no hard and fast rule as to self-defense. You must consider your physical capabilities, your location, and your perceived chances of success. If you cannot escape, bide for time and look for another opportunity. A half-hearted attempt could be worse than no attempt at all.
* Notify the police immediately when you get the opportunity. And if there are witnesses, ask them to stay until the police arrive.
* It is not advisable to carry guns, clubs, knives, or chemical sprays. It is illegal to carry some of these weapons, and they could be used against you. It is advisable not to carry weapons.
* And finally, if a crime occurs, report it. When you report a crime and all the facts about it, it helps the police to assign the officers in the places where crimes are occurring or where they are most likely to occur. If you don’t report a crime, this allows the criminal to operate without interferences. Tell the police what you know. No fact is too trivial.