Relevant

• Personal Safety

• Senior Safety

• Child Safety

• Home Security

• Tips on Auto Crime Prevention

• How To Spot Possible Drug Use

• Identity Theft

• Graffiti & Vandalism

• Benefits Of Marking And Engraving

• Household Inventory List

Personal Safety

1. Keep your head up, know your surroundings and know where to go for help if you need it.
2. Avoid distractions like cell phones, head phones and personal music players. (Cell phones are useful to carry for emergencies).
3. Plan your route to avoid isolated areas.
4. Don't overburden yourself with heavy parcels or a bulky purse.
5. Use a money belt or pouch to conceal valuables.

Senior Safety

1. Direct Deposit - Have regular checks sent to your bank via direct deposit.
2. Automated Teller - When using automated teller machines (ATM) be aware of who is around you. Do not make it obvious that you are taking out cash.
3. Shop around, always get a minimum of three estimates on major purchases or service contracts.
4. Be wary of something for nothing or get rich quick schemes. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is a scam.
5. Be careful of door to door sales people or telemarketing. Do not allow yourself tobe pushed into buying something you don't really need or want. Take a day to think about it. Read the contract; ask the salesperson to explain all the costs involved.

Child Safety

1. Always let your parents know where you are going and when you will be home.
2. Walk with a buddy or a group of friends.
3. Know your neighborhood and safe places to go if you need help.
4. Stay away from cars occupied by strangers. Do not approach a vehicle even if the occupant asks for help or directions.
5. Never flash money, bus passes, cameras or other possessions. Don't tell people what you have in your locker.

Home Security

1. Your house numbers on the front of your residence should be visible and well lit at night.
2. Trim trees and shrubs so doors and windows are visible to neighbors and from the street.
3. Lock doors and windows even when you are home or working outside.
4. Install good quality dead bolts with a minimum1inch throw. Adding door reinforces that fit around the dead bolt adds 2-3 times the strength to the door.
5. Install anti-lift devices and a good auxiliary lock, dowel or bar on sliding glass doors and windows.
6. Report suspicious persons or vehicles immediately to the police.
7. Get to know your neighbors. – Participate in THE WOODS BLOCK WATCH                                               Return to Top

Tips on Auto Crime Prevention

1. Close windows, lock doors. Take your possessions with you. Leave NOTHING in your vehicle.
2. Remove your keys from the ignition even if you will only be away from your vehicle for a few seconds (at a gas station for example).
3. Do not leave your garage door opener and registration in your vehicle. These items can be used by thieves to find and gain access to your residence.
4. Invest in a good anti-theft device such as a steering wheel lock, alarm and/or immobilizer.
5. Plan your route and carry a map in case you get lost. Carry a cell phone for emergencies.

Signs of Drug Use

Physical Signs

1. Loss of appetite, increase in appetite, any changes in eating habits, unexplained weight loss or gain.
2. Slowed or staggering walk; poor physical coordination.
3. Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual laziness.
4. Red, watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare.
5. Cold, sweaty palms; shaking hands.
6. Puffy face, blushing or paleness.
7. Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes.
8. Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
9. Runny nose; hacking cough.
10. Needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet.
11. Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
12. Tremors or shakes of hands, feet or head.
13. Irregular heartbeat.                                                                                                                Return to Top

Behavioral Signs

1. Change in overall attitude/personality with no other identifiable cause.
2. Changes in friends; new hang-outs; sudden avoidance of old crowd; doesn't want to talk about new friends; friends are known drug users.
3. Change in activities or hobbies.
4. Drop in grades at school or performance at work; skips school or is late for school.
5. Change in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities.
6. Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness.
7. General lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, "I don't care" attitude.
8. Sudden oversensitivity, temper tantrums, or resentful behavior.
9. Moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
10. Silliness or giddiness.
11. Paranoia
12. Excessive need for privacy; unreachable.
13. Secretive or suspicious behavior.
14. Car accidents.
15. Chronic dishonesty.
16. Unexplained need for money, stealing money or items.
17. Change in personal grooming habits.
18. Possession of drug paraphernalia                                                                                            Return to Top

Identity Theft

1. Shred all documents containing personal information.
2. Never provide bank, credit card, or other personal information to anyone who contacts you by phone or email.
3. Provide information over the phone or internet only if you have initiated the contact and can verify the business is legitimate.
4. Memorize all passwords and pins. Do not write them down.
5. Check monthly credit statements for charges you did not make and review your credit report at least once a year.

Graffiti & Vandalism

1. Graffiti and other types of vandalism are a crime and should be reported to police.
2. When witnessing suspicious behavior or graffiti crime, dial 911 immediately for emergencies or The Strongsville Police Department at 440-580-3230 for nonemergencies.
3. Failure to remove graffiti or fix other acts of vandalism leaves an impression that no one cares about the community. The sooner graffiti is removed, the less likelihood of continued vandalism.
4. Remove objects which can be used to access target areas.
5. Increase lighting and visibility in vulnerable areas and ensure your property is well lit at all times.

Benefits of Engraving Property

1. Engrave property with personal information such as your driver's license number.
2. Make sure to put contact information in front so if it is recovered it can be returned.
3. Engravers work on plastic, metal and wood.                                                                               Return to Top
4. Items worth engraving include bicycles, electronic equipment and tools.
5. Make an inventory list of engraved property items and keep it in a safe place.
6. Once you have marked the property put decals on your front and rear doors or windows alerting would be criminals that your property is marked for identification.
7. Engraving - provides evidence of guilt and enables police to detain a suspect who is found in possession of property engraved with someone else's driver's license number.
8. There is a higher likelihood that the property will be returned to its rightful owner.
9. Engraving may serve as a deterrent as criminals are less likely to steal marked property.
10. The thief cannot reclaim the property if it is seized.

Household Inventory List

Additional Resources

• Household Inventory List (Page 1) (Microsoft Word)

• Household Inventory List (Page 2) (PDF)