Helpful Tips

Drowning Prevention Safety Tips

Domestic Violence Kills

Recognizing Gang Activity

Child Safety

Securing Your Business

Avoiding Street Crime

Securing Your Home

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children between the ages of 1-4. Below you will find a multi-layered approach for parents and caregivers to help prevent drowning.

• Teach children water and swimming skills as early as possible.
• Install a self-closing and self-latching gate around the pool so that children do not have direct access to the pool from the house.
• Alarm every house door that leads to the pool to alert you if a child has gone outside.
• Install a safety pool cover to securely cover the water area.
• NEVER leave children unsupervised in or around a body of water even for a moment. Don’t be distracted by doorbells, phone calls or chores. If you must leave the pool area, take the child with you, making sure the pool gate latches securely when it closes.
• Don’t allow children to play in the pool area. Remove all toys, tricycles — anything that might attract a child — from the vicinity.
• During pool parties or family beach gatherings, designate an adult to watch the children.
• Avoid keeping water or solutions in buckets and other containers when toddlers are in the home.
• Never leave an infant or small child unattended in the bathroom, even for a few moments. Children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.
• Talk with baby-sitters about pool safety, supervision and drowning prevention.
• Don’t rely on flotation devices to protect your children in the water. These devices can slip out from underneath an active child.
• Children with long hair should clip it close to their heads, braid it or wear a cap. If long hair gets near a pool outlet the suction can trap the hair and possibly cause drowning.
• Respond quickly if someone calls for help. Post CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) instructions and the 911 emergency number in the pool area. Check with the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or Broward County Fire Rescue for a schedule of CPR classes.
• Keep lifesaving equipment, such as a pole, life preserver and rope — in the pool area. Hang them from the fence so people won’t trip on them.
• Don’t assume that a drowning incident couldn’t happen to you or your family. It’s 100 percent preventable but no one is immune.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE KILLS — SO GET HELP

More than 4,000 women are killed each year in this country by their boyfriends or husbands. That's not counting men and children, who are also victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is any physically abusive behavior committed by a household member that results in injury or death. Here are some signs of an abusive relationship that may result in domestic violence:

• You are afraid of your partner's temper.
• You are overly concerned about what kind of mood your partner is in.
• Your partner prevents you from seeing your friends or family, or alienates them so that they are uncomfortable being around him.
• Your partner threatens to hurt you, the children, your family, friends or pets.
• Your partner yells at you, reprimands you, or demeans you in public.
• Your partner hits, slaps, pushes or shoves you, pulls your hair, or inflicts physical injury on you in any way.
• Your partner prevents you from getting, or keeping, a job.

IF YOU ARE HURT...

Call for help...

Leave, or have someone come stay with you. Go to a battered-women's shelter. Get medical attention from your doctor or hospital emergency room. Ask the staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 911

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A youth gang is a group of people who get together on a regular basis to carry out violent, illegal, or anti-social activities, including intimidation, assault, vandalism, burglary and murder.

Gang members come from all races and social classes. They can be male or female, starting as young as 7-years-old. The following signs will help you recognize if someone is involved in a gang:

• Hanging out with a new group of friends.
• Showing a change in personality or behavior.
• Abusing alcohol or other drugs.
• Frequently bruised or injured.
• Using unusual hand signs, nicknames or street language.
• Carrying guns, knives or other weapons.
• Writing strange symbols (graffiti) on notebooks and folders.
• Withdrawing from family members or friends.
• Having trouble at school with grades or discipline.
• Obtaining money and valuables without your knowledge.
• Wearing tatoos, jewelry, hairstyles, or clothing that identify a particular gang.

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Child Safety Tips

Ask your child to commit to the following rules:

• Before going anywhere, I will get permission from my parents by telling them where I am going, who I am going with, how and I getting there, who is going with me, and how I will be getting back.
• I will get permission from my parents before getting into a car or leaving with anyone, including people I know.  I will not change my plans or accept money or gifts without telling my parents.  If someone offers me drugs, I will tell a grown-up immediately.
• I will use the "buddy" system whenever possible and will avoid playing or going places by myself.
• I will not keep it a secret if a grown up touches me in any way that makes me feel confused, but will tell a grown-up I trust.  Also, I won't feel guilt if it happens because it is not my fault.
• I will trust my feelings and will share them with grown ups I trust.  They care about me and I am not alone.
• If I feel unsafe, I will never give up and will continue asking for help until I get it.
• I will keep myself safe because I am a special person who deserves it.

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The more time it takes a burglar to break into your business, the greater the chance he'll move on. Most burglaries are committed by amateurs. They can be deterred if you take basic security measures seriously:

• LIGHTING It is important for your business to be properly lighted inside and out. Outside, there should be lighting near all doors and windows. High pressure sodium vapor lighting is recommended. It eliminates shadows and is inexpensive to operate.
  
  
• WINDOWS The most vulnerable parts of any business are glass areas. In more than half of business burglaries, entry is made by breaking the glass. All rear and side windows should be replaced or covered with iron bars of 26 gauge (or stronger) wire mesh screens. For display windows, smash-resistant window film should be considered.



• BEFORE CLOSING UP AT NIGHT Remember to turn on interior and exterior lights. Leave cash register empty and open. Turn off all computers. Finally, secure and check all doors, windows, and locks before leaving.

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Avoiding Street Crime

When you are away from home, never:

• Shop or conduct bank business on the 1st or 15th
  of the month.  Talk with your bank about setting
  up a direct deposit system for your social
  security checks.
• Carry large sums of money, jewelry or valuables.
• Park your car or walk in dark or poorly lit areas.
• Drive through unfamiliar neighborhoods or on
  dark streets.  If you are lost, drive to the nearest
  public place and ask for directions.
• Leave small children unattended in your vehicle.
• Drive with your car doors unlocked.
• Leave your car key in an unattended automobile.
• Leave your packages where they will be visible to
  thieves.  Instead, lock all valuables inside your
  trunk.
• Leave your credit cards in the glove compartment.
• Become a creature of habit.  Vary your route and
  schedule for shopping and conducting personal
  business.
• Carry important papers with you on outings. 
  Documents such as birth certificates and medical
  records are of no use to a criminal and will be
  difficult for you to replace if you are the victim of
  a street crime.
• Get into an elevator alone with a stranger.  If you
  must get on the elevator, stand near the control
  panel, push all the buttons so that the elevator will
  stop at every floor, and ring the bell in an emergency.

Be sure that when traveling, you always:

• Travel with a companion.
• Use credit cards in place of cash
• Keep your distance from drivers who stop you to
  ask for directions.  Stay out of the person's reach
  by remaining a few feet from the vehicle.
• Keep one arm free when you are waiting for a public bus.  A large number of sex assault victims have been abducted from bus stops.  Wear comfortable clothing and shoes in case you must flee and pay close attention to what is going on around you.   Also, put a whistle on your key chain and have it handy for emergency use.
• Walk confidently.  Behave in an alert and self-assured fashion.  People who appear to know exactly where they are going and are aware of their surroundings are less vulnerable than those who appear timid and confused.
• Have your car keys in hand before approaching your vehicle.  Place a whistle on your key chain for emergency use.
• Check your surroundings before venturing into parking lots or other unfamiliar areas.   If you observe something suspicious, remain indoors and report it immediately.
• Check the back seat of your car before entering.
• Be cautious when approached by strangers.

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Securing Your Home

Home Security Checklist:

• Be sure your outdoor lighting illuminates all entrances to your home.
• Shrubbery should be cut back to discourage burglars from hiding near your window and doors.
• All entrances should be kept locked at all times, including your garage door.
• Install a peephole in your front door.
• Windows and sliding glass doors should be secured with auxiliary locks or pinned with a nail.  To avoid having your sliding glass doors removed during a burglary, leave the screws in the track.
• Deadbolt locks should be used on all exterior doors (single or double cylinder with a minimum one inch throw is recommended).
• Never hide or store your keys or tools outside.

When away from home, be sure to take the following precautions:

• Make sure your home appears occupied. Put timers on your lights and set them to go off at different times.
• Have your newspaper and mail held, or picked up by a friend or neighbor.
• Close and lock your garage door. Don't forget to disconnect the automatic opener.
• Do not close all drapes or blinds. This is a dead giveaway that you are out of town.
• Notify the police that you are leaving town, and provide them with the dates you will be away and an emergency phone number.

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