Safety Tips After Leaving An Abusive Relationship

Posted on 12th July 2011 by admin in Safety,Violence Prevention - Tags: , ,

You’ve made the right step and left an abusive relationship. This is never an easy thing to do, but it was the right thing. For many women, it takes more than one attempt before they’re able to leave an abusive relationship for good. There’s never any excuse for a man to hit a woman.

Don’t ever let your guard down when you’re walking away from a bad situation. There are multiple safety tips to follow after leaving an abusive relationship.

Immediately change your cell phone and house number.The last thing you need are threatening phone calls. You should also be careful when using wireless internet and putting your information online.

If the abuse was extremely violent, you should think about getting a restraining order against your ex. Getting a restraining order means that if he goes within a certain amount of feet of you, it will be illegal. But keep in mind that a restraining doesn’t always mean he won’t contact you, but if he tries, he could be arrested. Always, always keep a copy of the restraining order in your purse or pocket all the time.

If there is a place where he goes to frequently, try not to go there. If you feel really uncomfortable and worried about breaking into your home, think about moving to a different area. Make sure anyone who has the new address doesn’t give it to him.

Make sure your home is safely secured each night. It’s often recommended to install an alarm system and a camera with lighting outside if needed. This might seem extreme, but this is your safety you’re trying to protect.

Let your neighbors know about the situation and if they ever see your ex showing up to your house have them contact the police immediately.

  • Share/Bookmark

Internet Safety Tips For Kids

Posted on 28th March 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: , ,

The Internet is an amazing tool for everyone. It can help students do research for their favourite topic on accredited online colleges sites for homework assignments, it allows people to work from home and it can be used for pure entertainment.  No matter what the reason, the Internet can be quite the powerful tool.

While parents want their kids to be social and active with other kids their age, there are so many online social networking websites that young kids and teens are using these days. The problem is there could be a lot of problems with the Internet involving your child’s safety. Here are some Internet safety tips for kids.

Teach your kids about Internet safety and the dangers of talking to strangers online. It’s always recommended to have the computer with the Internet in the open. If the computer is in the kitchen or living room, you will be able to monitor what your kids are doing online and whom exactly they are talking to.

If your kid is on Facebook or MySpace than make sure to have their log in information to monitor who they talk to. This might seem like an invasion of privacy, but remember they are kids and they have no idea who they are really talking to. How much you should keep track of will depend on which sites they’re on, how old they are and how much time is spent on the Internet.

If you’re uncomfortable going in to your child’s account, create a profile on each site your child is on and add them as a “friend.” This way you can see monitor their profiles without actually going into their account. You can also use your account to spot anyone lurking on your child’s account.

  • Share/Bookmark

Safety Tips For The Work Place

Posted on 7th March 2011 by admin in Safety,Violence Prevention - Tags: , ,

It’s often times hard to imagine having to deal with violence while at work. Many people never think about job safety because they’re not working at a place where they feel they’re at high risk from violence happening. The sad truth is that violence can happen at any work place whether it’s from an employee or an on-the-job injury. Injuries and violence can happen no matter where you’re working.

It’s unfortunate to have to think about, but it’s important to think about your safety when you’re at home trying to figure out what to wear. This does sound silly and even stupid, but the clothes you wear could actually put your at work from being injured at work. For instance, if you’re working in a place where you work with big machines, don’t wear anything that could get stuck in them. You can get seriously injured from that.

If you’re working for a place where you’re walking around a lot on floors that don’t have carpets, don’t wear any shoes that have large heels. You could easily slip if you onto the floor that’s wet or you can put too much stress on your feet, which could end up causing you a lot of pain.

We all deserve to be in a work place that’s a safe environment and not have to deal with any type of harassment. The most popular form of harassment is sexual, but it’s not the only one. Any jokes, comments or gestures that are not warranted are considered harassment.

Employers have spent hundreds of dollars on training materials to help inform and prevent harassment in the work place, but it doesn’t always stick. These training materials can’t just magically stop the harassment. It’s those doing the harassing that need to stop.

It’s always better to be fully prepared in the event that something could happen in the work place.

  • Share/Bookmark

The Importance Of School Safety

Posted on 23rd February 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: ,

The school is a place where students should feel safe and welcomed. Parents are trusting that the schools will take care of their kids while there. A school is an environment where kids should be able to learn and have fun without having to worry about getting injured. In fact, most kids feel as if they are invincible and that nothing could possibly happen to them.

Even if violence isn’t happening to your child, it doesn’t mean he or she isn’t witnessing violence happening to other students. No one wants to get involved with problem other students are happening, but sitting back and not doing anything about it is only going to make things worse.

Safety in schools is a huge interest that the federal government is trying to crack down on. School boards are meeting with other teachers and parents to listen to all the concerns and problems parents are having and finding a way to deal with the problem head on.

The school is an environment where students should feel safe. They should be more concerned about passing their big math test instead of whether or not they’ll make it through the day without getting hurt or made fun of. School safety is important and the school should be doing what they can to protect students from any violence or bullying.

Parents should also be getting involved since their kids are the ones being bullied or experience violence or they’re the ones harming the other students. Parents should talk to their kids about violence and bullying and why it’s wrong. Both parents and teachers should be stepping in and informing the kids that violence and bullying will never be the answer and it needs to stop… immediately.

Zero tolerance was implemented for a reason and teachers and schools need to be stricter about following through when students violate this policy. But now there are online college degrees sites are available which provides flexibility for parents and children to stay away from college/school related concerns

  • Share/Bookmark

Pros And Cons Of Flu Shots

Posted on 29th January 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: ,

It is a question that some people may or may not ask.  If you are over 65 your doctor’s recommend getting the flu shot.  Schools and businesses are really pushing individuals to get vaccinated in light of the H1N1 virus.  There are some individuals who choose not to get vaccinated either for personal or religious reasons and others who will stand in line for hours to be sure they get their shots.  Most people start getting vaccinated in October because you mainly get the flu during the winter months.  If you are on the fence about getting a shot, let’s look at the pros and cons so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Getting the vaccine lessens the chance spreading the flu from high risk people to healthy individuals.  A flu shot decreases the chances of upper respiratory illnesses, absences from work and school, and can provide people over the age 65 protection against heart attack and stroke.  The vaccination will work at blocking the flu virus, if that vaccine is the same strain as the virus that is circulating.  If you feel like the vaccine will help stave off the flu virus, get the shot it will have some affect.

The biggest thing with the flu shots is that it is hard to get the vaccine to match the virus.  This is because there are so many different types of flu viruses.  Even if you get the vaccine it will not protect you if you do not have the strain the vaccine was made to treat.  People who should not get the vaccine are those with allergies to chicken or eggs, pregnant women or women trying to conceive, and anyone who has had a reaction to a previous flu shot.  The flu shot does contain Mercury and Mercury has been associated with Autism.

  • Share/Bookmark

How A Thief Can Steal Your Identity

Posted on 27th January 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: ,

We all know that thieves can get your mail, steal your wallet or pocketbook or hack your computer in order to get your identity.  However, there are other ways thieves can get hold of your personal information.  Some are preventable while others we can do nothing about because it came from a third party who holds that information.

There is a new type of identity theft that has been occurring in recent years, medical identity theft.  Someone gets your insurance card or your social security number and uses this to go to the doctor using your name and insurance.  You may know nothing about this until the bills start rolling in and sometimes not until you look at your credit report generated by reach prepaid card.  Unfortunately, this could be dangerous to your health as well.  You may be getting treatment for an illness that you do not have.  Be alert when you go to the doctor and he starts asking questions about conditions you do not have or have ever had.  This type of identity theft is hard to get rid of especially if the thieve lives in your area.

Identity thieves can also get your information from your county courthouse.  Birth certificates, marriage licenses and deeds are all public records.  You may have to pay a little bit for them but you can get them and easily.  All thieves need is just a little bit of information about you like birthdate, address, and telephone numbers.  They can then call you and pretend to be your bank or your mortgage holder wanting to “update” your information.  They can also divert your mail by filling out a change of address card at the post office.  Then they have access to potentially sensitive information about you and your family.  It’s important to always get your annual credit report and look for discrepancies or fraudulent accounts.

  • Share/Bookmark

How To Get A Replacement Passport When Traveling

Posted on 25th January 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: ,

When you travel abroad it is essential to plan for anything that might happen.  Usually anything that can go wrong will go wrong.  You need to be prepared for the anything.  Having your passport lost or stolen can put the brakes on any vacation temporarily.  But losing your wallet and your passport can be devastating to a trip if you do not plan carefully.  Without your identification how will you prove you are who you say you are.  This article will show you how to replace your lost or stolen passport.

Before you leave on your trip find the addresses of the US Embassy and Consulate in the areas you plan on visiting while on your trip.  You also may find it to be a good idea to make copies of your ID and passport and keep it in a safe place.  Register with the State Department before you leave as this will make getting your passport a little bit easier.

If you passport does become lost or stolen call the local authorities immediately as well as the US Embassy and Consulate to report them missing.  You will need some form of identification to prove who you are.  This is where your copies that you made will come in handy.  You will need to fill out a few forms and they will need your personal information.  You can find the forms online at the state department and it might be beneficial to print those off and put them with your copies of identification.

At the US Embassy or Consulate you will need to take another picture for you replacement passport.  You will have to pay a fee for your replacement so be sure to have some money with you.  If you need your passport quickly, you can sometimes get a replacement 24 hours after everything checks out.

  • Share/Bookmark

Keep Your Teen Safe While Dating

Posted on 20th January 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: ,

In this day and age children are growing up faster and experience things at an earlier age than any other generation.  When your child is ready to begin dating more thought and planning is needed no matter what the age of your child.  In younger teens that start dating it should be more of a group date than a couples date.  Group activities include mini golf, movies, fairs or carnivals, go cart racing, and if you live close enough beach parties.

As a parent you should be talking to your teen about dating before they actually start dating.  Your teen, whether they know it or not, need parental rules and guidelines.    However, demanding or threatening will only cause you teen to withdraw and create conflict at a later time.   Dating is a scary time for teens and they will get a lot of advice and information from peers.  That is why it important that they get your advice as a parent as well as your expectations.  Here are some basic guidelines to follow.

Your teen’s date should come into your home every time they go out on a date.  This shows that you are involved and you can also access the physical appearance of the date.  Always know where the group is headed, the names of others kids in the group and cell phone numbers, as well as the names and numbers of some of the parents, and using a good service provider like mycricket.com is crucial.    No alcohol or drugs being used by anyone in the group.  And make sure that you have a conversation with your child when they get home, without prying, about the date.  Your child may have questions or tell you something that you may need to know.

You cannot be with or protect your children at all times, no matter how much we want to.  Arm your child with knowledge and let them know they have loving, caring parents at home.  They will do just fine.

  • Share/Bookmark

Prevent Your Home From Being Robbed

Posted on 15th January 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: ,

When your home gets burglarized it’s very scary and violating to you and your family.  A thief will use every means possible to get into your home, unless you take precautions against a possible break in.  You should make it as difficult as possible for would be thieves to gain entrance in to your home.  Because when they do, they will take everything from your JR Dunn jewelry to your new flat screen television.  Here are a few tips that can improve the safety for you and your family and greatly cut down on the risk of your home being robbed.

Light up the outside of your home.  Motion lights can be used in the dark areas of your yard.  Decorative lights can be used in the areas closer the house.  Usually lights are enough to deter a thief, unless, they are really determined.  Make sure your windows and doors are closed and locked.  The FBI says that it’s rare that robbers will break in through a door.  Usually, they will come through doors and windows that have been left open.  A robber can enter your home in about 60 seconds.  Do you want to take that chance?

If the thief really wants to get into your home, they will use force to get in through your door.  Having a good metal door, or a sturdy wooden one, in the off chance that a robber tries to break it in will make it harder for him to get in your home.  If you want to have a glass door, make sure it is double or triple pane.  A sliding glass door should have something in the door track that will keep the door from opening all the way.

Another great deterrent is to get a security system installed.  There are a lot of good security systems that allow you to monitor your home on your computer or laptop.  Another important thing to remember is to get insurance.  If your home is robbed you will at least be compensated for what your family has lost.

  • Share/Bookmark

Preventing Rape; Ways To Keep You Safe

Posted on 8th January 2011 by admin in Safety - Tags: ,

Unfortunately rape can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone.  The way you dress and look has no bearing on an attacker.  Most rapes or potential rapes occur because the attacker sees you as an easy target or vulnerable to attack.  Listening to your gut instincts that are telling you that something is wrong can actually save you from an attack, get out of that situation immediately.  Women have this drilled in their heads from the time they are teenagers, but become complacent.  Remember that 1 in 6 women will be assaulted sexually at some point in their lifetime.

Here are a few tips that will ward off a potential attack.  Never accept drinks at parties and never leave your drink unattended.  If you did not pour it do not drink it.  Do not drink from an open container.  Never venture into an isolated area with a person you do not know.  If you know a shortcut that will get you home quicker that you take during the day, do not take it after dark, especially if it is in a dim, wooded area.  Stay as open as you can at night away from trees and bushes.  Keep your doors locked and windows up after dark and never pick up strangers asking for a ride.  If you are at work and it is dark, have someone walk you to your car, and call someone to let them know you are leaving late and what time you expect to be home.  Stay alert and trust your gut instincts.

If you are raped, fight back, kick, scream, bite, and hit.  Do not plead with your attacker.  Attackers often get off on power and pleading only fuels that need.  If you are raped do not bathe or wash.  You are removing evidence that will find your attacker.  Seek medical attention and report it to the police immediately.

  • Share/Bookmark