North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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July 30, 2010

Be proactive to avoid becoming a victim

By Danielle Pelkey The North Jefferson News

COMMENTARY — While visiting a local Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy informed me that many people who live in our coverage area have been robbed. While this seems like one of the worst things that could happen to you, it is a more common event than we would like to admit.

This kind officer offered a little advice and thought it would be helpful if I shared it with our readers.

One of the most important tips that he gave was to lock up. Lock up your car, your house and any valuables that you may have around the house. Sometimes, just a locked door will detour a thief from making you his next victim.

The next tip is to write down the make, model and serial numbers of everything you own. If you buy a television, write this information down and keep it in a safe place. This advice can be used to protect anything from stereos and computers to fishing equipment, lawn equipment, cell phones and power tools. Anything that has its own serial number should be recorded. Keep this paper in a safe place. It’s a good idea to keep it outside of the home.

The neatest idea that the deputy gave was one I had never even thought of. He said to videotape through the house. That way you have physical evidence of the things that were yours. This is very helpful if something happened and your house burned. When you have a recording to show the insurance agents, he said, it is easier to prove what you owned.

No one likes to think about becoming a victim of a crime, but it is always smart to think ahead.

These are ways that you can help protect the things that are precious to your family.

You also need to be cautious about how to protect yourself. It is always a good idea to take a self defense class. Just knowing that you are in control and have some knowledge of what to do in case of an emergency is a huge benefit of these classes.

One pointer that has always stuck with me is that if you are approached by a thief that is trying to take your purse and you see that you would be overpowered, throw your purse as far away from yourself as possible. This makes them have to run away from you in order to get the purse and gives you plenty of time to make an escape without being attacked.

My coach in high school taught all the girls how to put one key between each finger when walking to the car in order to hurt an attacker more than with just a regular punch.

The most important point of safety is to be aware of your surroundings. If you don’t feel good about somebody or somewhere, stay away. Trust your instincts. Be safe out there.

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