Personal Safety Tips

PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS

It’s easy to become complacent in our everyday routine. Many of us go about our day on autopilot, not paying attention to our surroundings. Our faces are buried in our phones as we head to work, out shopping or riding the Long Island Rail Road. Complacency could make you a target of a crime. Criminals are often looking for an easy target. Below are a few personal safety tips to help you become more aware and alert of your surroundings. These tips will help prevent you from being viewed as a target.

PURSE AND WALLET SAFETY

• Only take what you need for the day.

• Keep ID, keys and credit cards on your person and not in your handbag.

• Carry purses and handbags under your arm like a football, not dangling from the straps or draped over shoulders or around the neck.

• Be aware of your purse and wallet in crowded areas. Wallets should be carried in the front trouser pocket or inside jacket pocket.

• When dining out, keep your purse or handbag on your lap.

• If someone attempts to rob you, do not resist especially if a weapon is involved. Resisting might result in injury or worse.

AT ATMS

•If you are using an open ATM, don’t use one close to the curb.

•Be suspicious of someone nearby with a video camera since they can zoom in on your transaction and get your PIN.

• Use well lit and well populated ATMs and be aware of your surroundings. Make sure the door closes behind you.

• Block bystanders’ view. Use mirrors at ATMs to see behind you.

• Put money, recept and card in pocket before exiting the ATM.

• If you find yourself alone at and ATM and someone approaches who seems suspicious or makes you feel uncomfortable, let them go ahead of you. Say you forgot your card and go to a different ATM.

ON THE STREET

• Try to shop and travel with a friend.

• Use populated and well lit streets when walking.

• If you suspect you are being followed, cross the street and go to the nearest occupied area, building, etc.

• If you are leaving a store after dark, walk out with other customers.

• If you drive, park in well lit areas at night and under a streetlight in the daytime in case you leave at night.

ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• Have money ready when you get on public transportation.

• Cover any jewelry. Turn rings with large stones toward your palm.

• Sit close to the driver when pos- sible. Otherwise, sit near the exit.

These tips are courtesy of the Nassau County Police Department.

I hope you will fine these tips helpful and will make you more aware. Look for the Wantagh Seaford Homeowner’s Association to hold a meeting in early 2018. In closing, on befhalf of WSHA, I want to wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year.

For residents of Wantagh/Seaford who want to join our neighborhood watch Facebook group the link is provided below.

https://www.facebook.com/group...

You can also like the Wantagh Seaford Homeowners Association on Facebook at

https://m.facebook.com/Wantagh...

Or visit the WSHA website at www.WSHA.LI

Christopher Carini is currently the Vice President of Seaford for the Wantagh Seaford Homeowner's Association as well as the Director of the Wantagh Seaford Homeowner's Association Neighborhood Watch Committee. He is also the administrator of the Wantagh Seaford Homeowner's Association's Neighborhood Watch Facebook group and Co-Administrator of the Wantagh Seaford Homeowner's