Skagit County Sheriff

PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS

The Skagit County Sheriff's Office offers these personal safety tips to minimize your chances of becoming the victim of criminal activity. If you have an emergency always dial 9-1-1.

At Home

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Be familiar with who is coming and going - who belongs and who doesn't. Know your neighbors and learn who can be called for assistance when needed.
• Join or start a neighborhood block watch program!
• Women may be safer using only first initials and last names on mailboxes and in phone directories.
• Change locks when you move into a new residence. Make sure your doors have dead bolt locks, security chains, and peepholes, USE THEM!
• Don't hide spare keys outdoors.
• Check ID when repair people, salespeople, meter readers, etc. come to the door. Don't hesitate to call and check them out or refuse them admittance if something feels wrong.
• If you let someone in and have second thoughts, be assertive. Tell them to leave or leave yourself. Pretend you are not home alone by mentioning a friend or family member asleep in the next room.
• Make sure entrances, garages, grounds, and hallways are well light.
• Leave porch lights on at night or when you expect to return after dark.
• Leave an interior light on in a room or two with the shades drawn.
• Leave a radio on.
• Instruct children and babysitters not to give out information about who is home, who is out or for how long.
• Don't leave notes on your door for others or allow solicitor's material to remain on your doorknob since they advertise your absence.
• If you suspect your home has been broken into, don't go in or out, go someplace else and call the police.

In your car

• Keep car doors locked at all times, and windows rolled up all the way.
• Do not stop to help a stranger in a stalled vehicle, go to a safe place and report the stalled vehicle to the police.
• Don't pick up hitchhikers.
• If you are being followed, don't go home. Drive to the nearest fire or police station or an open gas station, anyplace with people around.
• Try to keep your car maintained, and keep your gas tank at least half full.
• If security staff are available to walk you to your car, don't be embarrassed to use them.
• If you leave keys with a parking attendant or at a service station, leave only the car (not the house) key.