Personal Security Checklist for Home, Business, and Vehicle
A. Home
- Do not put your name on the outside of your residence or mailbox.
- Have good outside lighting.
- Control vegetation to eliminate hiding places.
- Entrances and exits should have:
- Solid door with deadbolt locks.
- One way peepholes in doors.
- Bars and locks on skylights.
- Restrict the possession of house keys. Change locks if keys are lost or stolen and when moving into a previously occupied residence.
- Lock all entrances at night, including the garage. Keep the house locked, even if you are at home.
- Develop friendly relationships with neighbors.
- Arrange for an unlisted home telephone number (limits accessibility to home address).
- Don't leave notes on doors.
- Don't hide keys outside house.
- Use a timer to turn lights on and off at varying times and locations.
- Leave radio on (best with a timer).
- Notify the police or a trusted neighbor of your absence.
B. Business
- Install deadbolt locks on office doors leading to hallways and other public areas. Consider installing a "buzzer" entry door system.
- Managers should issue and control keys, conduct semi-annual inventories, and have locks changed when keys are missing.
- Have offices cleaned during the day.
- Instruct all employees on operation of your security system.
- Make certain that cleaning personnel do not have access to security alarms or authorization to turn them on or off.
- Do not allow visitors access to secure areas.
- Do not allow persons visiting one office to have access to other offices or areas.
- Immediately report persons who appear unannounced in your work area or who say they "opened the wrong door" or "were looking for another office."
- Do not admit unexpected repairmen or deliverymen.
- Check with a reputable security company for information on available equipment and services.
Many local law enforcement agencies offer free home and security surveys. You should contact your local precinct, substation or office to avail yourself of this service.
C. Vehicles
- Do not use "vanity" plates that identify you by name or business affiliation.
- Do not have your name or official title displayed at your office parking place.
- Keep vehicle in good repair -- you don't want it to fail when you need it most.
- Keep gas tank at least half full at all times.
- Park in well-lighted areas.
- Always lock your car.
- Don't leave your car on the street overnight, if possible.
- Never get out without checking for suspicious persons. If in doubt, drive away.
- Leave only the ignition key with parking attendants.
- Don't allow entry to the trunk unless you're there to watch.
- Use a remote garage door opener if available. Enter and exit your car in the security of the closed garage.
- Before leaving buildings to get into your vehicle, check the surrounding area to determine if anything of a suspicious nature exists. Display the same wariness before exiting your vehicle.
- Before entering vehicles, check for suspicious objects on the seats and floor.
- Guard against the establishment of routines by varying times, routes and modes of travel.
- Avoid isolated roads and dark alleys.
- Know locations of safe havens along routes of routine travel.
- Habitually ride with seatbelt buckled, doors locked, and windows closed.
- Do not allow your vehicle to be boxed in; maintain a minimum 8-foot interval between you and the vehicle in front and avoid the inner lanes.
- Be alert while driving or riding.
- Know how to react if surveillance is suspected or confirmed.
- Circle the block for confirmation of surveillance.
- Do not stop or take other actions which could lead to confrontation.
- Do not drive home if you think you are being followed.
- Get description of car and its occupants.
- Go to nearest safe haven. Report incident to the local police.
- Recognize events that could signal the start of an attack such as:
- Cyclist falling in front of your car.
- Flagman or workman stopping your car.
- Disabled vehicle/accident victims on the road.
- Unusual detours.
- Motorist advising you of flat tire or possible problem with your vehicle.
D. Commercial Buses, Trains and Taxis
- Vary mode of commercial transportation.
- Select busy stops.
- Don't always use the same taxi company
- Don't let someone you don't know direct you to a specific cab.
- Ensure face of driver and picture on license are the same.
- Try to travel with a companion.
- If possible, specify the route you want the taxi to follow.
Physician Safety
