How to Avoid Being a Victim: AT HOME

Next to common sense, your best personal safety tool just might be your "uncommon sense," your intuition. Take yourself seriously if you sense danger or have a bad feeling about a person or situation. Do not be embarrassed or afraid to offend: Get away immediately. The National Crime Prevention Council suggests these ways to keep yourself safe wherever you are.

1. Don’t hide house keys in planters, mailboxes, under doormats, or in other common (and obvious) places.

2. Don’t put your name or address on your keys. Losing them irretrievably is much better than giving a criminal the key to your house and car.

3. Don’t open the front door without finding out who it is. Verify the identification of service personnel, even if you are expecting them.

4. Don’t rely on door chains. They can easily be kicked in or otherwise broken.

5. Never give personal information to unknown or "wrong number" callers. This includes your phone number, social security number, credit card number, and address.

6. Don’t reply to harassing phone calls. Hang up immediately