I got this email and thought I should share here:

PERSONAL SECURITY BEST PRACTICES

In Public Areas:

Always be aware of your general surroundings, especially near large crowds. When in crowded public areas, remain vigilant for signs of trouble. Before entering any establishment, scan the area for suspicious activity to avoid walking into a robbery in progress or other trouble. Remember where the nearest fire exits and other avenues of escape are located. If you hear shots fired, immediately get down on the ground. Do not try to investigate or intervene. Always maintain area situational awareness and limit exposure to large crowds and immediately contact the Police if you experience any incident which impacts on safety or security.

While Driving/Carjacking:

Do not leave anything visible inside your vehicle that might tempt someone. This includes purses, backpacks, briefcases, laptops, cellular telephones, and other electronic items. Store these items in the trunk or under the seat (cellular telephones should stay on your person, but out of sight). Keep windows up and doors locked at all times. Carjackers often target moving vehicles but also frequent parking areas looking for anything in plain sight worth taking.

Remain alert while driving, especially when stopped at traffic intersections and highway off-ramps. Keep an eye on pedestrians and other drivers around you. Leave at least half a car length of space between you and the car in front of you in case it becomes necessary to take evasive action. When leaving a public area, such as a shopping area, restaurant, or airport, check your rearview mirrors for any vehicles that may be following you. If you feel you are being followed or notice suspicious persons or vehicles near your vehicle entrance, do not enter your property!

Always exercise caution. Maintain a high state of vigilance and personal awareness, particularly in and around Nairobi, near Kenyan government facilities, diplomatic missions, large gathering places, hotels, markets and malls, and places of worship. Keep cellular telephones on, in good working condition at all times. Please report any suspicious activity immediately to the Police.

Residential Security

Keep vehicle gates and grill doors locked. Ensure that your alarm system is functioning, exterior lights are working, and foliage is trimmed around your perimeter fence/wall. Review your emergency procedures with your family members and close security support friends. Always remember to set your alarm system on whenever you leave your residence unmanned and when turning in for the night. Test your residential alarm system and other security hardware regularly to ensure these equipment remains in proper working order. Never give unexpected visitors access to your home. If you are not sure of the visitors’ intentions, TURN THEM AWAY.

If you are confronted by an armed individual:

Immediately comply, avoid making sudden movements, and do not offer up any form of resistance. Any hesitation on your part could be perceived as a threat, which may result in unnecessary violence and even deaths.

Personal Security Self-Assessment Checklist

The following checklist is a baseline self-assessment for individuals to evaluate your daily habits and practices to help identify gaps to work on to improve your own security awareness. Referring to this Instructions and adhering to recommendations may save your life and that of others.

Daily Security habits and Practices:

0 Do you vary your times and routes to and from work?

0 Do you keep your doors locked and windows closed (residence and vehicle)?

0 Do you keep your vehicle well maintained?

0 Do you check the interior and exterior of your vehicle prior to getting into your vehicle? Look for things that are irregular or abnormal.

0 Do you maintain a low personal profile by not doing anything that draws attention to yourself?

0 Do you identify and report to the Police, vehicles or persons possibly involved in surveillance of your activities/area?

0 Are you alert to what is going on around you?

0 Are your family members aware of your daily plans, and do they know how to reach you?

0 Report all suspicious activity to your local Police.

0 In traffic, do you always attempt to leave space in which to maneuver to exit if necessary? Be prepared to take evasive action at any time.

0 Do you avoid choke points in travel? Be wary of diversions.

0 Do you take walks, using the same routes and departing your residence at the same time? Vary your times and routes always.

0 Have you developed an emergency action plan for your home and car and rehearsed it with family members?

Advice: - If you are being followed or harassed by another driver, try to find the nearest police station, hotel, or other public facility and notify the Police. Never lead the person back to your home, do not stop and get out.

Whenever possible, do not have a set day for shopping, errands, and personal needs. Avoid time and place predictability.

Never give out your personal information, such as family member and household staff names, addresses, and telephone numbers, in an open setting.

Ensure all of your family members are briefed on security measures.

Schedules that are the most predictable leave you the most vulnerable. Be unpredictable when possible in both your work and social schedules.
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have u ever tried to report anything....??? like OB reporting???? total waste of saliva....