Safety Tips

On the street:

• Keep house and car keys separate.
• Have keys ready.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Walk in the center of sidewalks. Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys.
• Do not carry excessive cash.
• If attacked: 
  • Yell loudly
  • Use instincts, fight and never give up

In your car:

• Check underneath and inside your car before entering.
• Keep your car in good working order, including gas and all fluid levels up.
• If your car breaks down, turn on flashers, lock your doors and get as far off the road as you can. Call 9-1-1 for police assistance.
• If you are being followed, go to the nearest police or fire station, well-lit gas station or public place – do not go home.
• When driving, place purse of valuables underneath your seats.
• Teen Driver Safety Tips

In parking lots:

• Park under a light at night if you anticipate it will be dark upon return.
• Note where you parked your car for a quick and safe exit.

At home:

• Routinely lock all windows and doors.
• Keep entrances well-lit. Use timers for lights, both inside and outside.
• Check identification of repair contractors or sales individuals.
• Never indicate you are home alone.
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Door chains are not sufficient protection. Install a deadbolt or door chain.
• Contact your local police department to inquire about a home security check.

Child Safety:

• Children should never approach, accompany, or accept gifts from strangers.
• Teach children to report any suspicious incidents to you.
• Teach children to never hitchhike.
• Know where your children are at all times.
• Develop a habit of children telling you where they are going and when they will return.
• Have children play in groups and avoid secluded or deserted areas.
• Teach children their full name, address, phone number, and how to dial 9-1-1.
• Accompany children to restroom when in public.
• CHILD SAFETY SEATS:
  Use child safety seats, booster seats and safety belts correctly. For additional safety seat information, visit these web sites:
  •  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  •  Booster Seats
  •  DMV
  •  Virginia Department of Health
  •  Virginia Department of Health – Safety Seat Installation Demonstration Video
  •  Code of Virginia
  •  Recalls
• Teach children street safety:
  • Obey street signs and signals.
  • Utilize crosswalks and safe crossing at corners.
  • Encourage the use of sidewalks.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Be aware of their surroundings.

Internet Safety:

• Utilize Parental Controls provided by your Internet Service Provider.  Check with your provider directly to determine availability and usage.
• Educate yourself about Internet safety for both children and adults at any of the many online sites such as: 
  •  Office of the Attorney General Computer Crime Section
  •  Identity Theft at Justice.gov – Information from the U.S. Department of Justice
  •  SafeKids.com
  •  SafeTeens.com
  •  FBI Parent Guide – The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety”
  •  MissingKids.com – A good resource for Internet safety as well as child molestation prevention, etc.
  •  NetSmartz.org – Provided by National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• Be constantly wary of online scams, identity theft, personal information scams known as “phishing,” spyware, and hoaxes*. Trustworthy sites such as those below provide a wealth of information:
  •  ScamBusters.org – Scams, phishing, identity theft, and much more.
  •  Symantec.com – Internet Hoax information.
  •  FTC Identity Theft – Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft information.
• Wireless Security
  •  Suggestions on Securing Your Wireless Connection – Publication by VSP, BCI, High Tech Crimes Unit

*Hoaxes may appear relatively harmless but the cost and risk associated is multiplied by millions of individuals propagating hoax e-mail.  Costs involve wasted time and e-mail server processing resources, which may slow down to a crawl or crash under the heavy load.  Spammers (bulk mailers of unsolicited mail) harvest e-mail addresses from hoaxes and chain letters.