By Lawrence F. Loesch
Guest Coloumnist

(Dec. 27, 2007) — When you make your New Year’s resolutions this year, will personal safety considerations play a role? While committing to daily work-outs and eating healthier may top your resolution lists, the vows that may have the most profound affect on your life revolve around your personal safety. As vice president and general manager for the New York City Region at the largest American-owned security officer services company and a former NYPD Deputy Chief, I have seen my share of personal security snafus. I invite you to consider adding security minded resolutions to ensure a happier and safer New Year.

While our cities, communities and workplaces are protected by committed police and security officers, ultimately, we all need to be more aware, proactive and responsible about our own personal safety. Even the simplest activities, such as shredding documents and parking in well-lit areas, can reduce our personal safety risk. The following top six personal safety tips will help you have a safer 2008:

Deter, Detect and Defend Identity Theft — As identify theft continues to increase throughout the country and plague consumers, we must take proactive steps to protect ourselves and our personal information. Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.

• Review your credit report quarterly.

• Shred documents containing personal information.

• Keep your Social Security number and pin numbers confidential.

• Opt out of unnecessary mailing lists.

• Remove personal information from company and family Web sites.

• Don’t share personal information, even with “friends.”

Be Smart When You Park — In the hustle of everyday life, we often forget about potential dangers that can occur in such places as dark parking lots or remote parking areas where we can become easy prey for lurking criminals. To be smart when you park, be sure to:

• Park in well-lit, heavily trafficked areas.  

• Walk briskly, with your head up and be aware of your surroundings.

• Have your keys in hand and look into your vehicle before entering.

• Lock the doors as soon as you are in your vehicle.

• Do not roll down the windows if someone inquires about directions or help.

• When alone at night, ask for a security escort to your vehicle.

Drive for Life — Driving can be a safety risk all on its own and there are many other factors that can influence our safety. To ensure a safer driving experience:

• Be extra cautious while driving at night.

• Carry emergency supplies including flares or reflectors.

• Be alert for hazardous weather conditions.

• Take valuables with you or store them out of view.

• Do not give rides to strangers or stop to assist with a disabled vehicle, call the authorities instead.

• Don’t drink and drive!

Beware of Flim-Flam Telemarketers — While there are many legitimate companies that use the telephone for marketing, consumers lose millions of dollars to telemarketing fraud each year. It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between reputable telemarketers and criminals who use the phone to rob people. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the danger signs of fraud. Phone calls often catch us off guard as we would never expect to become a victim within the safety of our own homes. But it does happen. Keep in mind the following tips:

• Generally, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it is.

• If you are considering a making a purchasing by phone, and you did not initiate the call, ask for a catalog or information to be mailed to you first.

• Never reveal your checking account, credit card or social security numbers to a caller regardless of whom they say they are.

Travel Safe, Not Sorry — Use extra caution to protect your personal safety while traveling. The excitement and hurried nature of travel can leave us vulnerable.

• Carry minimal cash and keep tickets secure in an inside pocket.

• Do not leave luggage unattended and report any abandoned baggage.

• Only use taxis with official markings and at official pick-up areas.

• If traveling by car, be sure your vehicle is serviced and route planned.

• Do not pick up hitchhikers and keep your vehicle locked.

• Secure and prepare your home properly before leaving. Eliminate signs that your home is vacant, such as stopping mail and newspaper delivery and hiding empty trash cans.

Make an Emergency Plan — It is paramount that each and every one of us — whether we are in the heart of the Big Apple or in other rural or urban markets — develop our own personal escape plan in the event of an emergency. Draft a plan for your family and ensure that everyone knows what the plan is, and keeps a copy of it with them. Do you have a brother or sister who lives 30 miles outside of your city? Is there a close family friend who lives outside the city whose home could be your family’s meeting ground? Do you have a vacation home that can be used as a meeting point? Depending on the nature and scope of the crisis, it’s prudent to pre-determine a place outside of your home city that your family can congregate.

Make a “Go Bag” — In the event of a major emergency such as a terrorist attack, have ready a “go bag” that includes essentials such as an extra set of eyeglasses, house keys, a small amount of cash, a plan that includes info on the safe place family will go, Metrocard or other mass transportation cards, a spare credit card, prescription medications, whistle, a pair of comfortable shoes or sneakers, portable radio, flashlight and a standard first aid kit. The kit should include three days of food and water rations. Bottled water, protein bars and dried food should be tucked away in your kit. Stash extra batteries for your cell phone, radio and flashlight into your knapsack. If the power fails, electric telephones and radios won’t work.

In the eye and immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack, outbound communications will be severely restricted. Hence, if we are unable to connect with family and friends, it’s important that we follow our plan, keep our out-of-town associate apprised of our activities, and get to our pre-agreed upon location. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security promotes individual emergency preparedness through their Ready campaign. The Ready campaign is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. Individuals interested in more information about family and business preparedness can visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive a “Get Ready Now” brochure. When you resolve to be ready, you’re able to make a resolution that is both important and easy to keep.

Small actions can have a big impact on personal safety. Being aware of both our surroundings and potential dangers can help us take proactive steps to ensure a safe and secure 2008. For more Security Awareness Tips, call AlliedBarton at 1-866-825-5433 or visit us at AlliedBarton.com.

Lawrence F. Loesch is vice president/general manager for AlliedBarton Security Services’ New York City region. Established in 1957, AlliedBarton Security Services is the largest American-owned security officer services company. Loesch served as a Deputy Chief for the NYC Police Department and has held corporate security positions for Credit Suisse First Boston and UBS/Paine Webber. He can be reached at:  Larry.Loesch@alliedbarton.com.