Safety Whilst Driving

1. When getting into your car in a parking lot, check all sides of the car before entering. Once inside the car, lock all doors and proceed to leave your location.

2. Once in your car do not sit idly; this can give someone the opportunity to approach you. Get in your car, lock your doors and proceed to leave your location.

3. Change your driving routes. Do NOT follow the same route home every day, changing your route will throw off someone if they are watching to see your movement.

Local News- What's Going On

Most people watch television or listen to the radio for their favorite programs, but listening to local broadcast stations can be the difference between lively safely and lively dangerously.

Knowing what is going on in your country and more importantly your community is the best way to keep yourself and your family safe.

In countries such as Jamaica, where violent shoot outs between gang members and police take place, listening to the news can inform you on which areas to avoid.

Also important, the news will inform you on any natural disasters that your country is facing.

Read the newspaper, listen to the radio and watch local television to keep abreast with "What's Going On"

Cyberbullying Tips from ConnectSafely.org

Cyberbullying can be defined as the use of the Internet and other related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner.
As it has become more common in society, particularly among young people, legislation and awareness campaigns have arisen to combat it.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying#Cyberbullying_vs._cyberstalking)

Top 5 Cyberbullying Tips

Don’t respond. If someone bullies you, remember that your reaction is usually exactly what the bully wants.

Don’t retaliate. Getting back at the bully turns you into one and reinforces the bully’s behavior. Help avoid a whole cycle of aggression.

Save the evidence. The only good news about digital bullying is that the harassing messages can usually be captured, saved, and shown to someone who can help. You need to do this even if it’s minor stuff, in case things escalate.

Talk to a trusted adult. You deserve backup. It’s always good to involve a parent but – if you can’t – a school counselor usually knows how to help. Sometimes both are needed. If you’re really nervous about saying something, see if there’s a way to report the incident anonymously at school.

Block the bully. If the harassment’s coming in the form of instant messages, texts, or profile comments, do yourself a favor: Use preferences or privacy tools to block the person.

Please share the above tips with your children and encourage them to talk to you if they feel uncomfortable, scared or anxious.

Top 5 Safety & Self Defense Tips for Women

The three reasons women are easy targets for random acts of violence are:

1) Lack of Awareness - You MUST know where you are & what's going on around you.

2) Body Language - Keep your head up, swing your arms, stand straight up.

3) Wrong Place, Wrong Time - DON'T walk alone in an alley, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night.

Here are 5 self defense and safety tips that can prove useful if you become the victim of an act of violence:

1. The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

3. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

4.Mace spray is truly effective. So are a stun gun and a baton. But guess what: your mind can start changing and doing unimpressive things during an attack. You will need to practice using them. Moreover, keep these weapons in a space in your hand bag that you can easily reach.

5. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! Police only make 4 of 10 shots when they are in range of 3-9 feet. This is due to stress. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!