Personal Safety

Keep Yourself Safe

Thieves will often target individuals walking alone and distracted by phones or other electronic devices. A simple yet effective strategy to avoid being robbed is to maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times. Other prevention tips include:

Walk with confidence – keep your head up, look around, and know where you are going
Limit distractions – store mobile phones and other valuables out of sight and remove your headphones
Call a friend – let someone know where you are going and when you expect to arrive
Stay visible – stick to well-lit areas and avoid wearing dark clothing at night if possible
Only essentials – carry only the necessary identification, money, or cards you need
Keys ready – have your car or house keys ready before you reach the door

If you are approached, verbally threatened, or physically assaulted you may avoid further confrontation by giving the perpetrator the property they want.

Do not engage in the altercation as it may increase your chances of being physically harmed and could further escalate the situation. Your safety is the #1 priority. If possible, take note of what the suspect(s) looks like and their direction of travel.

The 9 PM Routine

Property crimes are often crimes of opportunity, and maintaining a nightly routine can help deter thefts and break ins. Taking a few simple steps every night can help protect your family, friends, and community from becoming victims of crime.

Every night by 9 PM:

Turn outdoor lights on
Close the garage door and any gates
Close and lock your home’s windows and doors (even if you live in a small town)
Double check vehicles are locked, keys are removed, and no valuables have been left inside
Put away toys and bikes in a locked, safe location
Put away tools when you’re finished with them
Put away outdoor equipment such as lawn mowers and weed trimmers
Lock up off-highway vehicles (e.g., ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.)
Set your home alarm if you have one
Empty your mailbox and retrieve packages/deliveries from your porch
Make sure your valuables aren’t visible from outside

Details to Remember in the Event of an Incident

When you are in a safe location/the threat is no longer present, write down everything you can think of about the incident. Note the physical description of the individuals involved, vehicles, licence plate numbers, or other distinguishing characteristics. Also note the location, time, and date of the incident. Call police as soon as it is safe to do so.

Physical Descriptors:

Height – in feet and inches, relative to your own height, or tall, average, short, etc.
Weight/Build/Size – e.g., estimate in pounds, slim/lean, athletic/fit, curvy, stocky, etc.
Age – estimate in 5-year increments (e.g., 25-30 years old) or range – child, youth, adult, senior
Skin Tone/Ethnicity – e.g., olive skin, tan, dark, pale, Caucasian, etc.
Overall Appearance – e.g., scruffy, unkempt, attractive, clean, well-dressed, etc.
Head, Body, and Facial Hair – colour, texture, length, styling, hairline, wig/dye
Clothing and Footwear – shirt, jacket, pants/bottoms, socks, shoes, dress and condition of clothing: style, colour, name brands, cleanliness, fit, any accessories like hat, watch, glasses, wig, jewelry, scarf, umbrella, etc.
Distinguishable Features or Visible Markings – e.g., complexion – acne or rash, scar, tattoo, moles, freckles, burns, limp, injury, etc. *Note shape/style and locations on body.
Voice/Speech – e.g., pitch, tone, raspy, lisp, stutter, accent, use of slang, articulation, etc.
Personal Belongings – e.g., backpack, duffle bag, purse, keychain, cane/walker, stroller, pet/animal, etc.

Other important details:

Date of incident
Time of incident
Location of incident (use land markers and physical description if address is unknown)

Transportation:

Vehicle:
- Type – car/truck/SUV
- Make and model
- Age/year
- Body style – coupe/sedan/convertible
- Licence plate number and province/state
- Colour
- Damage (interior and exterior)
- Rim colour
- Stickers, decals, tinted windows
- *Note the driver and any passengers
Bicycle/Skateboard/Scooter:
- Make and model
- Colour
- Size
- Condition/age
- Stickers, decals, etc.
On Foot:
- Pace – walk/run, limp
- Visible injury or requires assistance – cane/walker/crutches, etc.
Direction of Travel (i.e., which direction did the individual(s) approach from? Which direction did they leave?)

You may also be able to provide information on:

Crime Type – e.g., robbery, theft/burglary, assault – sexual/physical, extortion, kidnapping/abduction, human trafficking, murder, arson, hate crime, predatory behaviour, etc.
Motive(s) – substance misuse, poverty, mental health, revenge, anger, jealousy, passion, power, greed, opportunity, intimidation, thrill, peer pressure, abuse, etc.)

Child Personal Safety Tips

Parents

Remember/take a picture of the clothes your children are wearing each day in case they get lost
Reinforce the importance of the ‘buddy system’
Teach your children to know their full name, age, telephone number, city, and province so they can identify themselves
The more children know about their bodies and acceptable, safe behaviours, the safer they will be. Teach them the proper names of their body parts.
Children need to be told their safety is important and that they can play a part in staying safe. Encourage your children to always report strange or frightening things to you
Encourage an open dialogue with your children – tell them that you will not be angry with them about things that may scare or concern them

Online Safety

Never give out or post personal information (e.g., addresses, telephone number, name/location of school, etc.)
Never agree to meet face-to-face with someone they have “met” online
Teach children not to respond to emails that are rude, mean, or make them feel uncomfortable
Children should never share their internet password with anyone other than a parent

Adult Personal Safety Tips

In your community:

Know your neighbours
Pay attention to your instincts or “gut feelings’
Carry only what you need with you
Plan your route in advance
Don’t be afraid to say no

Online:

Use strong passwords
Enable multi-factor authentication
Only log into accounts from trusted sources and devices
Don’t reveal personal information on social media
Never click on links received via text message or email

In your car:

Lock your doors immediately after getting into your vehicle
Never pick up hitchhikers
Do not stop to pick up stranded motorists; call police or a tow company for assistance
Park in well lit areas and keep vehicle locked even when parked
Be alert when getting in and out of a vehicle – have keys ready and check to make sure no one is inside before you get in
Do not leave your licence, banking information, or other sensitive materials in your vehicle
If your vehicle breaks down, pull over if possible, raise the hood and turn on hazard lights; stay inside (if it’s safe to do so) with the windows rolled up and doors locked

Senior Safety

Fraud Protection

Ignore suspicious contests, phone calls from “distant relatives,” travel club offers, retirement estates offered “sight unseen,” and telephone, text messages, and email solicitation of any kind where you are asked to pay a deposit or other charge in advance
Contact the police and your bank if anyone claiming to be a bank examiner calls and asks for assistance
Be cautious of “just passing by” home repairmen offering repair work at a savings. Check the offer with a reputable repair company. Always inspect the credentials of anyone who contacts you or comes to your door and ask for references.
Never sign a contract that you have not read and fully understand
Before investing money, get a second opinion from a spouse, financial advisor, or lawyer

In the Home

Keep valuables in a safety deposit box at your bank
Mark valuable items for identification
Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home
Never let strangers into your home; if they require assistance, ask who you might call to help them

In the Community