Safety Tips for Adults

Most criminals are opportunist who choose to operate under favorable conditions. These conditions include the right time, the right place, and the right victim. Criminals can often be discouraged from targeting you as a victim if you are willing to put time and effort into protecting yourself and your property. Study these tips and customize them to fit your individual needs:

Safety at home

Install an alarm. Obtain estimates from several reliable alarm companies and find a system that fits your needs and finances. Once installed, you must register your alarm with the City and County of Honolulu. Download the required form.
Make certain you have a strong door frame, sturdy hinges, chain latch, and dead bolt lock.
Install a peep hole.
If you have sliding doors in your home, install a second lock on the doors. Place a wooden dowel in the track behind the sliding door so the door cannot be forced open.
Install locks on your jalousies or glue them to the metal frame.
Keep you doors locked, even if you are in the home or in the back yard.
Do not hide extra keys outside of your home.
Install exterior lighting at every entrance to your home.
When returning home, approach your door with your key in your hands, ready to use.
Do not leave notes on your door to tell a friend or delivery person that you are not at home and the time you will return.
Use your first initial instead of your name on your door and mailbox.
Never open your door to a stranger. If the stranger needs to use your telephone, offer to place the call for them.
If you are alone and mistakenly allow someone into your home, indicate that you are not alone by telling them another family member is in another room.

Safety on the telephone

If you receive an obscene or nuisance telephone call, do not respond and simply hang up immediately.
If you are alone and receive a telephone call from someone you do not know, never indicate that you are home alone.
Do not give any information to someone who indicates they dialed the wrong number.
Never give out personal or financial information over the telephone.

On the street

Walk in well lit areas.
Avoid taking shortcuts through alleys, vacant lots, construction sites, poorly lit areas, and unfamiliar places.
Whenever possible, walk on the left side of the sidewalk against the flow of vehicular traffic. If you are unable to, stay away from the curb so that someone in a passing motor vehicle cannot grab you or your personal belongings that you may be carrying.
Carry personal belongings close to your body and with a good grip.
Always walk with confidence at a steady pace.
Be aware of your surroundings and give the impression you know where you are going.
When someone passes you, look them in the eye.
If someone in a vehicle stops and asks you for directions, stay at a safe distance away from the vehicle when responding. Never get close.
If you believe someone is following you, cross the street and get to the nearest safe place, such as a business or residence.
While shopping, never leave personal items in a shopping cart or on the floor in a dressing room.

On the bus

Avoid waiting alone at a bus stop. Consider standing near other people and proceed to the bus stop when the bus arrives.
Don’t stand too close to the curb. Large vehicles have mirrors that protrude and could strike you.
If you are a passenger on the bus and someone is troubling you, inform other passengers and the driver.
Watch if anyone gets off at your bus stop and make certain no one is following you home.
Avoid falling asleep on the bus.

In your vehicle

Keep your vehicle in good mechanical condition.
Plan your travel route ahead of time and stay on well travelled roads.
Keep a family member or friend your travel time and route.
Keep your doors locked.
Use your air conditioner and keep your windows rolled up tightly. If your vehicle is not equipped with an air conditioner, lower your windows slightly for ventilation.
Park in well lit areas.
Be alert in underground or multi-level parking structures.
Never give your entire key ring to a valet who is parking your vehicle. Provide only the ignition key.
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
When returning to your vehicle, approach your door with your key in your hands, ready to use.
Check the back seat and interior of your vehicle before entering.
If you work late or at night, ask someone to escort you to your vehicle or leave with a group of people.
Do not stop for motorists on the roadside. If you think they need assistance, call the police and provide the location of the stranded motorists.
Do not pick up hitchhikers.
If you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or other safe location.
If your vehicle stalls, turn on your hazard lights and remain in your locked car. If you have a cellular telephone, call 9-1-1 and an officer will be dispatched to your location. If someone stops to help, ask them to call the police for you or inform them the police are on the way.
Should a police officer need to stop you, the officer will signal the stop with a flashing blue light and a siren. You should pull over to the side of the roadway. If you are suspicious concerning the circumstances of the stop, do not pull over. Instead, signal to acknowledge the officer’s presence, and then proceed to a safe place to stop (gas station or shopping mall). The officer will be in uniform wearing a badge on the left chest area and the officer’s name embroidered on the right breast pocket.

At work

Know your work area and park in areas that are well lit.
Keep to areas with pedestrian traffic.
Avoid stairways that can be isolated and dangerous.
When in an elevator, stand close to the control panel in the event you have to exit quickly or sound the alarm.
If you are working late, notify a family member or friend with an approximate time when you expect to be home.
Keep your personal belongings in a locked desk drawer of filing cabinet.
Travel in groups. There is safety in numbers.