Note: Audio podcast companion episode for this post available at the bottom of the page. October is National Crime Prevention Month. Celebrated since 1984, after a Presidential proclamation, it’s a perfect time to assess risk and take action to enhance your safety and the safety of your family members. But where should you start? I suggest beginning with your home. Get a Crime Prevention Inspection From Police Whether you live in a house or apartment, contact your local polic

It’s that time of year. Students arrive on campuses ready to dive into new academic and living adventures. It’s also a time to remind ourselves how important it is to stay safe on and off campus. Whether you’re living in a college residence or you're a commuter, walking long distances to class locations and social happenings is a fact of life for most students. As fall turns into winter, more and more of those footsteps happen during the night. Here is a simple, easy to remem

For many of us, summertime is road trip time. We joyfully hit the road for vacation destinations ranging from beaches, mountains, lakes, and other fun locations. 7 Easy Safety Steps Before you pack your bags and head out on the highway, here are a few suggestions to help keep you safe: Before traveling, have your car checked over by a competent mechanic. He or she should look at the car’s oil level, battery charge level and condition, tire tread, tire inflation, fan belts, ho

According to the most recent research from the *U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were more than 400,000 violent crimes in parking lots and garages on average each year for the four year study period. What can you do to help keep yourself safe when walking to and from your auto in parking lots and garages? Safe Parking Mindset and Actions When entering a parking lot or garage, scan the area carefully. Look for one or more people who seem to be loitering. If there is an

Are you as attentive as possible when you’re walking in public? Do you give 100% attention to your surroundings when you’re out in the world? Do you use your cellphone as a lifeline when walking or do you take these outside walking opportunities to text or talk to friends and family members? Our New "Stay Safe" Mini Tip Posts to Keep You Safe This is the first post in a new Stay Safe series of short, easy to apply safety tips. Some of the posts will be short videos, some shor

The fires in Northern California burned through my community taking many homes and much of our green space. These devastating infernos left us standing naked and in great need of emotional support and comfort. Effects on Sexual Abuse Survivors The loss of life and property associated with these fires has had huge painful effects for sexual abuse survivors. Many have seen their homes destroyed and experienced other tragic losses. They have no choice but to reach out for physic

The number of reported sexual assaults on airplanes is rising according to the FBI. This increase was highlighted in a recent official, "FBI Today" podcast. Given the thousands of flights occurring every day, the probability of experiencing an assault during a flight is low. Regardless, it's vital to know exactly what to do if you sense you are at risk. Actions To Help Keep You Safe Here are some airplane travel safety tips to help keep you safe: When boarding the plane, scan

In a recent article in ZDNet, a leading technology publication, we see the headline, “US cell carriers are selling access to your real-time phone location data” As, “The New York Times” also reported cellphone records from Securus Technologies was allegedly used by a Mississippi County, Mo. deputy sheriff to track people’s cellphone locations including those of some other police officers without a warrant. The deputy has pled not guilty to charges filed in federal and Mo. sta