Illness & Disability

Home Illness & Disability Living with an illness or disability Protecting yourself

Protecting yourself

Here are some important tips to protect yourself from crime offered by McGruff the Crime Dog:

Always:

• Stay alert and pay attention to what is around you.
• Send a message that you are calm, confident, and know where you are going.
• Know your limits so that you can stay away from places or situations that put you at risk.
• Learn about the neighborhoods where you work and live. Find out where the police and fire stations, public telephones, and hospitals are.
• Let your parents, or another adult you trust, know if anyone has touched you in a private way or makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Try not to keep the same patterns. By going the same way home from school every day, you may be more at risk for crime because someone can follow you.
• Read more about safety on the streets.

In your home:

• Make sure you have good locks on all of your doors.
• Make sure there are peepholes on both front and back doors at your eye level. They may need to be lower if you use a wheelchair.
• Get to know your neighbors – they will look out for you.
• If you have trouble speaking, have a friend record a message for you to use in case of emergency. The message should include your name, address, and type of disability or illness you have. Keep the tape recorder close to the phone.
• Everyone is different, so ask the local police department to conduct a free home security survey to help you with your needs.
• Even though it may seem very safe when you are on the Internet because you might be in your own home, there are many important things to know about protecting yourself on-line. Read more about safe Internet use.

When you go outside:

• If you can, stay with a friend when you go out and about.
• Stay on well-lighted streets that have plenty of other people around. Avoid shortcuts through empty parking lots, areas with lots of trees, or alleys.
• Always let someone know where you are going and when you will come back.
• If you carry a purse, keep it close to your body. Put your wallet in an inside coat or your front pants pocket. If you use a wheelchair, keep your purse or wallet tucked between you and the inside of the chair.
• If you use a backpack, make sure it is zipped completely closed.
• Always carry your medical information with you in case of emergency.
• Carry a mobile/cell phone with you.
• Read more about safety on the streets.

When you use public transportation:

• Use well-lighted, busy stops and stay close to other passengers.
• Be alert. Don’t fall asleep or daydream.
• If someone bothers you, make a loud noise or say, "leave me alone" loudly. If that doesn’t work, hit the emergency signal on the bus or train.

It is also important to be safe and healthy in the different relationships you have – with friends, family, other adults in your life, and with the people you date. For more information, see our teen’s guide to healthy relationships.

Content last updated June 2, 2007

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