FIREBALL TIPS

BUSINESS TRAVEL SAFETY Travelers Are Prime Targets For Criminals. Here Are Some Ways to protect Yourself :- AIRPORT SAFETY 1. Keep your eyes on your bags especially your laptop or other valuable items at all times and don’t let anyone but uniformed airline personnel handle or watch them. 2. Be wary of mishaps, like someone bumping you or spilling a drink… they may be staged to set you up for a robbery. 3. Clutch your pocket book close to your body or carry your wallet in an inside front pocket or wear concealed money pouch. 4. Record the contents of checked luggage and carry valuables onto the plane with you. 5. Don’t draw attention to jewelry, cameras or other expensive items. ROAD SAFETY 1. Study your route on a map before you start. 2. If using a rental car, make sure it’s in good operating condition and learn how to operate all controls before starting out. 3. Keep maps and rental agreements concealed and store luggage out of sight in the trunk. 4. Keep car doors locked and park in lighted areas near entrances. 5. Have keys ready so you can enter the car quickly after checking the back seat and floors. 6. If bumped by another car, rather than getting out you might want to signal the other driver to follow you to a police station or other place where you’d feel safe. HOTEL SAFETY 1. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. 2. Caution hotel personnel against saying your room number within earshot of others. 3. In case of emergency, know where exits, elevators and public phones are located. 4. If going our, ask hotel staff about neighborhood safety and areas to avoid. 5. If someone claiming to be a hotel employee shows up at your door unexpectedly, don’t let them in without first calling the front desk for confirmation. 6. Don’t display your room key or leave it where it may get stolen. CHILD AND PARENT EDUCATION Educating your children about the issues of kidnapping and what one can do to escape an unsafe environment is a must. Simultaneously, it is also important, that we as responsible parents are aware of the risks and perils lurking around every corner that may take our most precious gift, our most valuable belonging – our child - away, far away from us. REMEMBER, our children cannot look out for themselves…we have to look after them. GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS 1. Don’t leave your child unattended (i.e. in a car, home, markets etc). 2. Always maintain a current photograph of the child. 3. Be aware of his height, weight, colour of eyes. 4. Make a note of identification marks (birth marks, scars etc). 5. Be familiar with his daily routine. Be aware of his whereabouts at all times. 6. Keep the addresses, phone nos. of your child’s friends. 7. Know the parents of your child’s friends. 8. Make sure that small children carry a badge having his name, his parents name, address and phone numbers on it. Never assume that your child will not get lost. 9. Always inform the school whenever your child is not going to attend the school. Ask your child’s school to have a “Call back Programme”. That is whenever your child misses or is absent from school, they should give you a call. GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN 1. The child should know his full name, his parent’s name, his complete address and phone number. 2. The child should always inform his parents about his whereabouts. 3. The child should not talk with strangers. 4. The child should not accept anything from the strangers, especially eatables (Chocolates, sweets). 5. The child should never accept a ride or a lift from any strangers. 6. Before going out anywhere the child should inform his parents, how he is going there, with whom he is going and when he’ll be back. 7. The child should play in groups SECURITY TIPS ON STREET SAFETY 1. Don’t carry more money or valuables than you can afford to lose. 2. Don’t make any sudden moves – your attacker is probably as nervous as you are. 3. Walk on the side of the street facing the oncoming traffic. 4. If you hear rapidly approaching footsteps behind you, flatten yourself against a building if you think you are the intended victim. 5. If you are being followed on a well-traveled street, slow down, speed up, reverse direction – in other words, indicate to your pursuer that you are aware you are being followed. Then go straight for help. 6. Don’t play games if you are followed on a deserted street. 7. Walk briskly to other people for necessary help. 8. Self-defense sprays such as Mace or pepper spray are an option for protection, unless outlawed in your state. Running, screaming, and using a loud whistle are recommended defensive tactics. Whistles, however, should not be kept in a purse or around the neck. 9. If you must carry large amounts of money, don’t keep it all in one place. Money belts or certain items of women’s lingerie are good alternative places for carrying cash. 10. Don’t carry keys in the same place as identification that would tell a robber where to find the door that the key fits. 11. Carry credit cards only if there is some likelihood that you will be using them. 12. If you walk alone at night, do not walk near cars parked at the curb or close to doorways or shrubbery, which could conceal an ambusher. 13. If you regularly walk or go jogging alone at night, vary your route to minimize the possibility of someone’s lying in wait to assault you. 14. Be cautious when using outside public phone booths. You become a prime target for pickpockets, muggers, and rapists. 15. When using public transportation, sit near a companion, the motorman, or a conductor. However, take care to avoid the seat nearest an exit door. 16. If seated near an open window, protect your purse or other belongings, from being stolen by a thief reaching through the window. 17. Prepare your fare before you leave home, in order to avoid opening your handbag or showing your wallet. 18. Be aware of your surroundings, keep your eyes open, and remain alert throughout your entire trip. 19. When you are walking on the street and encounter an arrest, riot, fire, brawl, or other incident, resist the impulse to be a spectator, and shield yourself from the action. DOMESTIC SAFETY TIPS 1. Executives and their families should always pre-screen any domestic help that they are considering hiring particularly those that will be assisting in the care of children. 2. A comprehensive background investigation should be conducted. 3. Do not discuss any sensitive information in the presence of the domestic staff. 4. Remind the domestic staff to remain “security aware” at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately. 5. They must be briefed on the proper way to answer the door, proper procedures regarding admittance of visitors or repairmen and the answering of telephones. 6. Most important among these procedures is to always give an impression that “people are at home”, but not now currently available.. 7. Remind the domestic staff to be alert for any strangers lurking around the neighborhood. They should be encouraged to report any such activity immediately. TIPS ON VEHICLE SECURITY 1. Before getting into your vehicle, check around it, and have your keys ready beforehand. 2. Check inside the car before unlocking it. 3. Lock your doors as soon as you get inside your vehicle, and keep windows rolled up. 4. Consider installing an alarm system or some other security device if you have carried valuable items in your car, and also as a safeguard against car theft. 5. If your car doesn't start, either get assistance or get away, especially if you are in unfamiliar territory. 6. Do not accept unsolicited offers of assistance. 7. Do not unlock the door to admit a stranger. 8. Sound your horn and continue to do so if a stranger remains around your locked car and appears to be a menace. 9. Try to travel through familiar areas, and stay out of high-crime areas. Always map out the safest route. 10. Lock your car if you must abandon it to go for assistance, and exercise prudence while walking away. 11. If someone appears to need assistance, drive to a phone and call for assistance; do not stop. 12. If someone attempts to force you to stop, do not - even if it means a collision. Sound the horn, and drive toward lights or wherever you may find assistance. 13. Take evasive action if you are being followed, and drive in the center lane. If your follower persists, drive to some occupied location, and phone for assistance. 14. If someone attempts to enter your car at a stoplight or a stop sign, drive away, sounding your horn, even if it means running a red light. In general, turn to the right when driving away. 15. Don't get out of your car in a dark, remote location, even if you've been involved in an accident. If possible, drive to an open service station or business, and report the accident to the police. 16. Learn the location of police stations, precinct houses, and other places where police tend to gather. This knowledge may save your life in an emergency. 17. Distract a would-be carjacker by throwing your credit cards, money, purse or wallet - even your car keys - out of the car, then getting out and running away. 18. Avoid getting into your car with a carjacker. Chances are you'll never return. 19. Park only in lighted, populous locations. 20. Never leave your keys in the ignition. 21. If parked at an attended lot, leave only your ignition key behind. OFFICE - SECURITY TIPS 1. If you don't have procedures in case of emergency or another incident, establish some, and discuss them with all employees so that everyone knows what to do, and who to report to. 2. Non-employees should not be allowed to go past the reception area without notice to co-workers by phone or intercom. 3. Guests/clients should wait up front for their escort. After business is concluded, the person should be escorted out. If you encounter an unfamiliar unescorted person in the office area, ask them, "May I help you?" or "Can I help you find someone?". Do not merely point out the direction of their destination, accompany them to the destination. If it is an intruder, they will give you a quick answer and walk away from you, or, head for an elevator or the nearest exit. 4. Do not try to restrain the individual. Write down the suspect descriptions and follow office procedures. Thefts should be reported immediately to the "Security Department". 5. Purses, briefcases, etc. should be kept out of sight when possible, locked away in a desk or closet. Some of the items taken in recent thefts have been under a desk, in plain sight, or in a jacket hanging on the back of a door or over a chair. 6. If your wallet or purse is stolen, contact your bank and credit card companies immediately and call and report the theft to the police. 7. When leaving work for the day or weekend, if possible, lock your desk. Do not invite thieves by leaving valuable, personal property on top of your desk or work area. 8. Do not leave checks, petty cash or stamps in plain sight, within easy reach or in an unlocked desk drawer. 9. Doors should be locked if your area is unoccupied. If your office has more than one entrance, one door should be used by everyone to enter or exit. This should eliminate doors being propped open or intruders coming in undetected. ATM SECURITY TIPS 1. ATM cash machines have been incorporated in our way of life. 2. They offer a real convenience to those on the run but at the same time offer an element of risk. Using an ATM machine safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24-hours a day doesn't mean it is safe to use it. Most ATM robberies occur at night between 7pm and midnight when the machine only produces 10% of the daily transactions Between 7pm and 4am, the ATMs handle nly 11% of the total daily transactions but suffer 60% of the crime. 3. ATM robbers are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone. 4. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby (30 feet) waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. 5. Half of the ATM robberies occur after the cash withdrawal. 6. Many ATM robbery victims are women and were alone when robbed. 7. Most claim that they never saw the robber coming. Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash. 8. If you or your family members use ATM cash machines on a regular basis, here are some tips that can make the process a little safer: 9. Only use ATM machines in a well-lighted, open, high-traffic area. 10. Use ATMs at inside busy supermarkets when possible. 11. If lights around the ATM are not working, don't use that machine. 12. Avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places. 13. When you approach an ATM, scan the area first for loiterers. 14. Have your card ready and leave quickly, not counting your cash in public. 15. Walk, run, or drive away immediately if your instincts tell you so. 16. Beware of offers for help from strangers during an ATM transaction. 17. Don't argue with a robber, if confronted, and give up the cash. 18. Don't fight with or attempt to follow the robber. 19. Drive or walk to a safe place and immediately call the police. ROAD SAFETY TIPS - REDUCE YOUR RISKS 1. Every 18 seconds some one is involved in an auto accident, every 11 minutes some one dies. Here are some effective strategies, which can be implemented to reduce your risks. 2. Always wear your seat belt 3. Be aware of traffic around you by looking ahead, behind, and adjacent and make sure the other road users see you and know what you are doing. 4. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles. 5. Be alert near parked cars. Some one could open a car door or pull out in front of you. 6. Don't drive sleep-deprived. Sleep is not a matter of will power, but a biological need. If you become drowsy, pull off the road and get some rest. 7. Check your mirrors and find your blind spots. Avoid driving in other driver's blind spots. 8. Don't make sudden lane changes use your signals. 9. When stopping, check mirrors and begin braking early and stop smoothly. 10. Don't crowd your driving space with passengers or belongings. 11. Keep to the right of the road or in the right-hand lane on multi-lane roads unless you want to turn left or pass another vehicle. 12. Be caution at intersection, a danger zone. Slow down as you come to intersections and look carefully for traffic lights, pedestrians and cyclists. 13. Obey the speed limit and all signs and signals. CREDIT CARDS - SECURITY TIPS 1. We have put together a few credit card safety tips that will help you to assure maximum security, safety and peace of mind while using your credit cards. 2. Keep an eye on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible. 3. Try not to let your credit card out of your sight whenever possible. 4. Be very careful to whom you give your credit card. 5. Don't give out your account number over the phone unless you initiate the call and you know the company is reputable. 6. Never give your credit card info out when you receive a phone call. (For example, if you're told there has been a 'computer problem' and the caller needs you to verify information.) 7. Legitimate companies don't call you to ask for a credit card number over the phone. 8. Never respond to emails that request you provide your credit card info via email -- and don't ever respond to emails that ask you to go to a website to verify personal (and credit card) information. 9. Never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secured site. 10. Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them. 11. Shred all credit card applications you receive. 12. Don't write your PIN number on your credit card -- or have it anywhere near your credit card (in the event that your wallet gets stolen). 13. Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around. 14. Shield your credit card number so that others around you can't copy it or capture it on a cell phone or other camera. 15. Keep a list in a secure place with all of your account numbers and expiration dates, as well as the phone number and address of each bank that has issued you a credit card. 16. Keep this list updated each time you get a new credit card. 17. Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need. 18. Don't carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use. 19. Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no 20. bogus charges. Treat your credit card bill like your checking account -- reconcile it monthly. 21. Save your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly bills. 22. If you find any charges that you don't have a receipt for -- or that you don't recognize report these charges promptly (and in writing) to the credit card issuer. 23. Always void and destroy incorrect receipts. 24. Shred anything with your credit card number written on it. 25. Never sign a blank credit card receipt. Carefully draw a line through blank portions of the receipt where additional charges could be fraudulently added. 26. Carbon paper is rarely used these days, but if there is a carbon that is used in a credit card transaction, destroy it immediately. 27. Never write your credit card account number in a public place (such as on a postcard or so that it shows through the envelope payment window). 28. Ideally, it's a good idea to carry your credit cards separately from your wallet -- perhaps in a zippered compartment or a small pouch. 29. Never lend a credit card to anyone else. GENERAL FIRE SAFETY AND PROTECTION TIPS 1. Make sure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire. 2. Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Make a drawing for each floor. 3. Dimensions do not need to be correct. 4. Make sure the plan shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes. 5. Test windows and doors-do they open easy enough? Are they wide enough. Or tall enough? 6. Choose a safe meeting place outside the house. 7. Practice alerting other members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom. BE PREPARED - PLAN AHEAD 1. Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire most likely will make it difficult to see. 2. Practice staying low to the ground when escaping. 3. Feel all doors before opening them. If a door is hot, get out another way. 4. Learn to stop, drop to the ground, roll if clothes catch fire. CONDUCT A FAMILY MEETING 1. Conduct a family meeting and discuss the following topics: 2. Always sleep with the bedroom doors closed. This will keep deadly heat and smoke out of bedrooms, giving you additional time to escape. 3. Find a way for everyone to sound a family alarm. Yelling, pounding on walls, whistles, etc. Practice yelling "FIRE!" 4. In a fire, time is critical. Don't waste time getting dressed, don't search for pets or valuables. Just get out! 5. Roll out of bed. Stay low. One breath of smoke or gases may be enough to kill.