Home Safety

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Here are some tips to keep in mind to keep yourself and your family safe while at home:

Answer doors and phones so a potential burglar will know your home is occupied.
Never tell a caller you are alone; give the impression that someone is with you.
Install a home security system and ensure that it is on before you leave your home and while you are in for the night.
Look through a peephole, window or smart home doorbell to see who is outside the door. Never open it to anyone you do not know.
Verify repairmen with their dispatchers before allowing them inside. Have a friend/family member with you or have someone call to check in on you.
If someone you do not know asks to make an emergency phone call, do not open the door; make the call for them.
Children are less cautious; be careful about letting them answer the door or phone at an early age.
If you think that a forced entry has been made, do not go inside. Go to a safe place and get help as soon as possible.
Plan escape routes and keep emergency numbers posted by your phones. Two separate fire escape plans should be created for your home and known by everyone living at the residence.
In apartment complexes, be cautious of laundry rooms, parking lots and isolated areas. Insist that they be well-lit and inform management if you have any concerns. Use these areas only when accompanied by a trusted friend or neighbor.
Never give out information about yourself or where you live to a stranger.
Do not indicate on your mailbox or in the phone directory that you are a female or living alone.
If you are confronted in your neighborhood or community and must yell for help, yell "Fire!" This phrase gets the best response from bystanders. Breaking glass or blowing a car horn can be effective as well.