LCSO SUMMER SAFETY

Does Your Hot Girl Summer Plan Include a Safety Plan?

By Angela Green

The hot summer months are the perfect time to let your hair down and relax, but are you thinking about your personal safety? Hopefully, we all do the normal things: lock our home and vehicle doors, be vigilant, and stay alert. Those are the obvious tips for being safe, however, the sad reality is that many of us do not prepare beyond that. Here are some tips from the Crime Prevention Specialists at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to help you get on the right track.

1. SAFEGUARD AGAINST HOME INVASIONS:

The primary way to prevent a home invasion is to never, ever open your door unless you either are certain you know who is on the other side or you can verify that they have a legitimate reason for being there. If an intruder breaks in while you are home, you should have a safe room in your house to which you can retreat. Your safe room should be equipped with a strong door, deadbolt lock, phone (preferably a cell phone), and a can of pepper spray or fire extinguisher.

2. SECURE THINGS IN

YOUR CAR: LCSO sends out nightly reminders about the “9 P.M. routine” to lock your vehicle doors. But are you securing the items in your vehicle? Make sure your garage door opener is out of sight. What about your car registration? Many of us carry our car registration in our car. So, if a criminal breaks into your car, they not only have access to your car but now have your address and an easy entry to your garage. Find a new way to secure those items or simply take them out, just remember to have them on hand when you need them.

3. AVOID A CARJACKING: Lock all doors and keep windows up when driving. Most carjackings take place when vehicles are stopped at intersections. The criminals approach at a 45-degree angle (in the blind spot), and either pull you out of the driver’s seat or jump in the passenger’s seat.

4. BE PROACTIVE:

Before you and your girls take the ultimate summer trip, make a backup plan in case the group gets separated during an outing and have a scheduled meeting place and time. If the group splits up or someone has solo plans, make sure they check in with you at a set time or when they arrive back from their destination.

These prevention tips are simple steps to avoiding summertime crime. You can find more resources and ways to protect yourself and your family by visiting our website www.leoncountyso.com.