Presentation given by Constable Rolanda McAvoy at 2009 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference

1. Empowering Oneself
With Personal Safety
Education!!
Tips on Home, Vehicle and Personal
Security
Cst. Rolanda McAvoy
Saskatoon Police Service
Ph# 975-2265
rolanda.mcavoy@police.saskatoon.sk.ca

2. HOME SECURITY

3. Motion Lights at the front and back

 Install ones that can not be easily
broken or tampered with
 Light up to the edges of your property
only

4. Place a short fence around the front of

your property
 Have a 6’ fence at the back and sides of
property
 Keep all trees, shrubs and hedges
trimmed
 Place gravel beds around the house
 Don’t leave anything out in your yard

5. Install Peep holes with magnifying

lenses
 Strengthen outside doors by using
solid doors
 Use a proper dead bolt lock and strike
plate
 Secure the door from your home into
the garage

6. Secure sliding windows and sliding

doors
 Use any existing window locks at all
times
 Secure any window air conditioners

7. If you have an alarm use it

 Quality alarm systems combine audible
and silent alarms triggered by sensors
placed throughout the home, not just
on doors and windows
 Prior to getting an alarm do your
research to ensure it is a quality alarm
system that can’t be tampered with

8. Leave on the T.V. or stereo

Leave some lights on and draw your

curtains
Don’t leave notes on the door, even when

you’re at home
Park a vehicle in your driveway

Keep yard maintenance up

Be creative when leaving a key outside

Use automatic timers

Have someone collect your mail


9. SAFETY WHILE
YOUR HOME

10. SAFETY AT HOME
Know your neighbors

Always keep doors and windows locked

whenever possible.
Never allow anyone into your home unless you

know them
Do not hang keys near the entrance ways and

ensure they are not visible.

11. SAFETY AT HOME
Servicemen should have ID so ask for it.

 Strangers don’t need to know that you’re
alone
 Never leave a message on your
answering indicating you live alone.
 Call 9-1-1

12. PROTECT YOUR BELONGINGS
Keep valuables in a safety deposit box

 Never keep large amounts of money at
home
 Make a list of all valuable property
 Mark your property for identification
 Videotape or photograph your property

13. ********************
“REMEMBER A HOUSE CAN BE
BROKEN INTO DAY OR NIGHT. YOUR
HOUSE IS ONLY AS SECURE AS
YOU MAKE IT AND IF YOU CAN
BREAK INTO YOUR HOUSE THEN
SO CAN A BURGLAR!!”

15. VEHICLE SAFETY
Don’t leave anything of value visible

 Never leave keys, mail, registration or
garage door opener in the car
 Always lock your vehicle
 Consider a car alarm and or securing
device
 Park wisely
 When returning to your vehicle

16. SAFETY ON THE STREET
Walk in well-lit and well-traveled areas

 Avoid alleys, parks, walkways and
tunnels, especially at night
 Walk with a friend
 Be alert and walk with a purpose
 If being followed go where there are
people and where you’ll feel safe
 Avoid groups of people loitering in areas

17. STREET SAFETY CONTINUED…
Don’t wait for a ride or the bus in an

isolated location when possible
 Cab companies are a service
 Keep your arms free of packages
 Consider carrying a cellular phone,
personal alarm or whistle
 When returning home

18. PERSONAL SAFETY WHEN HANDLING MONEY
Never carry large sums of money

Use a wallet or billfold instead of carrying a

purse
Don’t carry everything you own-just what you

need
Do not leave your purse unattended not even

for a moment
When using ATM’s be aware of people loitering

or shoulder surfing
Be aware of skimming devices at ATM’s or on

debit machines

19. WHAT IF I’M ATTACKED!!
Try to STAY CALM. Use your common

sense
 If you have an opportunity to escape
without harm, go for it!
 If someone is near you give them
instructions
 Without staring, try to get a good mental
picture of the robber’s appearance and
mannerisms.
 Never try to apprehend an offender
 Only use physical force to defend
yourself as a last resort

20. WHAT IF I’M ATTACKED CONT.
If the suspect has a weapon only you can

decide how to respond
 Your best defense is to be prepared and
your best weapon is your brain
 Call the police as soon as
possible!!

21. WHAT THE POLICE NEED FROM YOU!
Stay Calm

 Suspect(s) description
 Weapons involved
 Direction of travel
 Time occurred
 Witness statement

22. THE 3 P’S OF CRIME PREVENTION:
Plan Ahead- have a buddy system in place, know your

route, never take anything you don’t need.
Prepare for Anything- know your plan to get help if

you need it. GO WITH YOUR GUT!! Trust your instincts.
Practice- good safety habits are lost if you don’t

continuously practice them!!

23. By Taking The Steps To Be
Prepared You Can Protect
Yourself And Your Property!!
Empower Yourself by
Trusting Your Instincts!!