·
Ensure that the door to the house is shut and
locked even when you are home, and certainly when you leave
the house – even just for a few minutes.
·
The entry door must be strong (from steel or
solid wood), with a standards-compliant lock, security chain
and peep hole.
·
Make sure that the entrance to the house or
apartment and staircase is lit in the dark, and that the light
can be operated from inside the house.
·
It is recommended that you install bars or
security hooks on all shutters and the balcony door. Ensure
that the openings are firmly shut every night or before you
leave the house.
·
Do not keep large sums of cash and valuable
jewelry in the house. A bank safe may be rented for this
purpose.
·
Jewelry used on a daily basis should be kept in
a concealed place in the house – not in clothes wardrobes or
in a bedside cabinet. A small safe can be purchased which can
be installed in a concealed place in the wall or floor of a
room. The place where the safe is installed should be easily
accessible to you.
·
Make a list of the valuables you have at home:
appliances, electronic or optic equipment (cameras, telescope
etc.), jewelry and decorative ornaments. Write down a
description of the articles, including serial numbers of
electronic and optic equipment. Keep the list in a safe place,
or together with the apartment insurance policy at your
insurance agent’s office or insurance company.
·
Do not leave your bag and house keys in a
prominent place near the entrance. Place them in a concealed
and safe place.
You can install distress systems at your home. These are
systems for calling for help in an emergency. They can be
integrated with the alarm system for house entrances. The call
systems at times of distress enhance your domestic safety and
allow you to receive help within a few minutes.
Information about joining a distress call center can be
obtained at community institutions for the elderly in your
area of residence, or at companies which market such systems.
You should obtain and compare several price proposals and
details of communication conditions.
There are criminals who try to exploit your innocence in order
to gain entry to your house easily, by posing as technicians
or craftsmen. In order to avoid these situations use the
following rules:
·
Do not open the door without looking through the
peep hole.
·
You should install a switch inside the apartment
so that you can turn on the light in the staircase or entrance
to see who is at the door.
·
Ascertain the identity of visitors from a
company, organization etc. (via the peephole in the door)
before you let them into your home. Ask to see an ID and
examine it carefully before opening the door, while the
security chain is still connected and prevents the door being
opened fully.
·
If you do not recognize the visitor, do not
admit him.
·
If a stranger asks to use your telephone, and
you are prepared to help him, suggest calling for him while he
waits outside the locked door.
·
If you admit a workman do not leave him alone in
a room. If you have no choice, make sure that there are no
easily accessible valuables left in the room, such as:
wallets, keys, bags and jewelry. Move such articles to another
room, or lock them in a cupboard in the room.
·
Do not be tempted to let technicians, workmen or
passing workers into your home without receiving
recommendations for them and identifying details and without
making a prior arrangement.
·
Lock the entrance door firmly, turning the lock
fully. Do not slam the door. A slammed door is not locked!
·
Do not leave a key under the mat or in any other
“secret place” (electricity cupboard, under a plant pot etc.).
Thieves know of these places too.
·
If you go out for a short time, leave lights on
and a radio playing in one of the rooms.
·
If you go away for a long period, ask one of the
neighbors or a friend to empty your mailbox and turn on the
lights (in a different room each time) so that the house
doesn’t look empty.
Many people fear they will be attacked or mugged in the
street, despite the fact that acts of street violence are not
common. You can avoid this kind of criminal act too, by
following these rules:
·
After dark, use lit streets and not dark alleys,
even if it means taking a longer route.
·
Use the sidewalk and walk against the direction
of the traffic – that way you will avoid being hit by a car or
motorcycle traveling close to the sidewalk.
·
Do not walk closeto the road.
·
Carry your bag under your armpit and not hanging
from your shoulder. If it is a large bag pass the strap over
your head so that the bag lies crosswise on your body. This
makes it hard for a thief to pull it and snatch it.
·
Keep your wallet or purse in an inside pocket of
your clothes and not the back (open) pocket of your pants.
·
Do not carry large amounts of cash on your
person. Today, most payments can be made by check, credit card
or standing bank order. It is better to make payments using
these methods.
·
If someone tries to take your bag or a necklace
from you, do not oppose him because you might get hurt. Do not
fear asking for help or shouting loudly.
·
Do not carry valuable jewelry, important
documents or items with a high financial or personal value in
a bag. Keep them in a safe place!
·
Do not leave a bag unattended when you are
waiting in line at a bank, post office, bus stop or store.
·
Withdraw cash from an ATM during daylight hours.
·
Do not take cash out of your wallet or purse in
the street but only when asked to at the bank, post office,
store, etc.
How can I avoid being deceived? 
Do not be tempted to buy from passing peddlers or
people selling “bargains”.
Do not pay the full price for any goods before
you receive them.
Do not worry about saying “no” to a peddler. You do not have
to explain your refusal.
If you are hesitant, do not make a rushed
decision. You can reconsider whether you want to make a
transaction. It is best to seek the advice of friends or
relatives before you assume any financial or other serious
responsibility
Do not sign a contract without carefully examining
all the conditions
and without consulting a lawyer or other qualified person.
When you purchase something by credit card, if the
charge is made manually, ask for the carbon copy and destroy
it.
The following is a list of consultation services, which may be
of assistance to you:
·
The Advice Service for Senior Citizens and
the Aged at branches of the National Insurance Institute.
The telephone numbers appear in the telephone directory of
your town of residence.
·
Citizens Advice Bureau at the Ministry of
Labor and Social Affairs. This information can also be
obtained from the municipal call center (106, 107).
If you are a victim of
theft, burglary or other offense, make sure you act as
follows:
Immediately notify the police by dialing 100, even if the
amount stolen was not significant.
If you are injured, call the ambulance service immediately by
dialing 101.
It is a good idea to contact a relative or neighbor for help
with submitting a complaint to the police, completing
appropriate forms, etc.
Try to give the police full details about the stolen property.
You can use the list of property and description of articles
you made. Keep a copy of the list for your contacts with the
insurance company. Make a note of the investigation file
number and the name of the investigator dealing with your
case, for later inquiries or for providing additional
information.
Have a telephone installed next to your bed so that you can
use it at night if necessary.
Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers next to the
telephone.
If a stranger enters your
apartment do the following:
Press the distress button
(if you have one).
Dial 100 for the police.
Turn a light on and call for help as loudly as possible.
Go into a room and, if possible, lock it from the inside.
Do not confront the intruder, if possible.
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