The Problem: This recent newspaper headline suggests people are taking responsibility for their security. The reality is, normalcy is settling in since 9/11. Though people are more tolerant of longer lines, for most people, security is someone else’s responsibility. Violence is still America’s number one concern. Some believe that sex and violence on TV, in movies and in video games are the problem. Others believe that poverty, welfare, and single parent-fatherless homes are the cause. The fact is that drugs, alcohol, mental illness, and combinations of these all contribute to violence in America. Statistically, you are as likely to be assaulted as injured in a motor vehicle accident. Furthermore, over 20,000 people are murdered every year. Terrorism is in our own backyards. Rape, theft, assault, home invasions, and car jackings are all forms of terrorism.

The Solution: Take responsibility for your safety and your family’s security. A one-to three-hour seminar on Personal Safety is actually a fun and entertaining experience. Learn the fundamentals of security in a positive and motivating environment. You have all the ingredients to protect your family and business; we just give you the recipe. Join the many organizations that have benefited from Robert’s in-depth experience. We provide you with the fundamentals of safety and the strategies for security to help you make smarter time, money and life-saving decisions.

1. Fundamentals: Body language is 55 percent of communications. That’s your walk, posture, facial expressions and eye contact.  Awareness is being alert to your surroundings at all times. Intuition is when the hair on the back of your neck stands on end. Voice tone and pitch equal 35 percent of communications. The way a person communicates physically and verbally can determine whether or not a predator deems them a good target.
2. Prevent Abductions: When returning to a parked car, scan the area around your car and be alert to suspicious activity. Be aware of vans. Abductors and rapist open up the side doors and pull in their victims.
3. Never Use Your Keys As A Weapon: Contrary to popular belief, your keys are not a good weapon. Using your keys as a weapon can injure your hand, the keys can break, you lose your “key to safety” and you lose access to your car and home, which are safe havens. Unless it’s a LARGE key. Then it’s a good weapon. 
4. Prevent Home Invasions: You tell your children not to talk to strangers, so why do you open the door to a total stranger? Home-invaders pose as delivery people, public workers, or people in distress. Install peepholes, talk through the door. Under no circumstances do you open the door unless you get phone numbers to call their superiors. If someone is in distress tell him or her you will call the police for them.
5. Safety On The Street: One dollar bills and change in an easily accessible pocket. Then if someone tries to rob you, you can throw the “chump change” several feet away. The robber will draw his attention to it, giving you time to escape. Do not fight over material items.
6. What To Do If Attacked By A Date Rapist: If he won’t let you go, gouge his eyes out! Fight as hard and as determinedly as you would if he was a stranger. By assaulting you, he has crossed the line, and now he is a stranger. Remember: you are worth fighting for! If all else fails, you can always let him kiss you, then bite down on his lip till your teeth meet.
7. Safety In Your Car: In the event of a minor accident, stop only in a well-lit area. Carjackers often provoke such “accidents” just to get a victim to stop. Do NOT stop on a deserted, dark street. Drive to a police station or a gas station. Use a cell phone and call 911.
8. Home Safe Home: Consider a second line or a cell phone in your bedroom. That’s because burglars often remove a telephone from the receiver when they enter a home. Of course, an alarm system activated while you are sleeping will prevent a burglar from getting this far. Newer alarms have cellular options, a safeguard even if the phone lines are cut.
9. Vacation/Business Traveler Safety: Be suspicious of a call from the hotel desk just after checking in requesting verification of your credit card number “because the imprint was unreadable.” A thief may have watched you enter the hotel room and called from the guest phone in the lobby. Never open your hotel room to anyone.
10. Telephone Security: Protect your calling card number. When punching in that number, be wary of everyone in the area. Sometimes the guy standing at the phone next to you is talking to his accomplice and telling him your number. In an airport, thieves could be videotaping a “going away” couple right behind you as you punch in your digits.

SafetyMinute Seminars, P.O. Box 15145, Boston, MA 02215