AVOIDING CRIMES WHEN PARKING

Theft and Vandalism:

• Whenever possible, provide each dwelling with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible common car parks are the next best thing.
• Where private garages are not feasible, a car-port or driveway parking is preferable to grouped parking away from dwellings.
• As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided, as they are breeding grounds for vandalism and crime. If they already exist, danger could be minimized by limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates. Alternatively, each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with robust, vandal proof metal doors - garages within garages, so to speak. Or users can be provided with a secure lock or plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors.
• Grouped car parks should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some dwellings; they should be equipped with sturdy gates or tilt doors, and should never be sited near alleyways.
• Open car parks should be small and within view of dwellings and visitors car parks should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and visible from dwellings.

RAPE, ASSAULT, ROBBERY

• To make car parks safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.
• Car parks should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings, and the path should be well lit and free from shrubbery.
• Visitors car parks should be well lit, clearly identifiable, and visible from dwellings.
• Access to enclosed car parks should be limited to residents by some form of electronic entry control device if possible.
• If it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parks is monitored as well.
• In high-crime areas, advanced technological surveillance methods may be needed in car parks. For example, an infrared unit is available which detects the presence of intruders - but not cats and dogs - by body heat, and automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.

In these cases items such as: Stun Master stun guns , Pepper Spray , Personal Alarms,

could help save your life, or at least give you a better sense of security!

Going on Vacation

An empty house is a tempting target for a burglar. Use this check list for tips to help safeguard your home while you are away.

• Have good locks on all doors and windows and USE THEM!
• Ask a neighbor to watch the house while you are away. It is a good idea to to leave your vacation address and telephone number with your neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
• Never leave your house key hidden outside your home.
• Stop all deliveries, or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers and packages.
• Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake your leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look.
• Plug in timers to turn on lights, a radio or television on and off at appropriate times. This helps to disguise that you are away.
• Don't announce your absence on the answering machine.
• Leave your blinds, curtains and shades in there normal position. Don't close them unless that is what you do normally.
• Engrave your valuables as recommended in Operation I.D. This simple step will allow your stolen property to be identified and returned to you if recovered by the police.

Hope this helps you to have a safe and relaxing vacation. I will be putting more posts on self defense, personal protection, home protection, safety