Apartment Security

Most Neighborhood Watch programs take root in areas with single-family homes. But many victims of burglaries and other types of crimes live in apartments. Police say apartment dwellers are far less likely to organize against crime than people who live in houses. But that is slowly changing. Here are some tips for creating a safer community in your apartment complex:

* Start an Apartment Watch. Just like Neighborhood Watch, members of an Apartment Watch learn how to make their homes more secure, watch out for each other and report crime and suspicious activities to the police.

* Help arrange with police for apartment security surveys.

* Organize patrols to walk around the apartment complex and alert police to crime and suspicious activities. Don’t forget to patrol parking lots, stairways, laundry rooms and playgrounds.

* Publish a newsletter that reports local crime news, recognizes Apartment Watch captains and highlights community activities.

* Organize a reception in the lobby of your building or a cookout on common property so neighbors can get to know one another.

* Keep pressure on management to make sure it provides adequate security.

* Start a “safe haven” program for children--places where they can go in emergencies or scary situations.

* Check the complex on a regular basis for problems such as burned-out lightbulbs, dark corridors, uncollected trash or broken locks on mailboxes and doors. Report problems to the building manager.

* Organize meetings to brainstorm how you can help each other, such as starting an escort service for the elderly or after-school care for children.

Source: Crime Prevention Coalition

Safety on the Golf Course

Golfing isn’t a contact sport. But experts say players must be careful to avoid hurting themselves or others. Here are some tips for beginning golfers:

* Never swing a golf club with others close by.

* Swing the club only in designated areas and when all other golfers are in safe positions.

* Never stand in the target line of others swinging clubs. The club could slip out of their hands or the club head could come off.

* Never go in front of an established hitting line, regardless of the type of ball being used.

* Hold the club at the club head end when the instructor is demonstrating or organizing the class.

* Yell “Fore!” when you hit a ball that might hit someone.

* Cover up when you hear “Fore!” Use hands and arms to protect your head.

* Only the person playing the shot should be within the teeing area.

* Never position yourself in the line of a bunker shot. A missed swing could produce a high-velocity shot at a short distance that would be impossible to avoid.

Source: Times reports