by Chakira Ward

Created on: April 22, 2009

A safe and welcoming neighborhood without crime would just be too good to be true, there are sick minded people everywhere you go. After seeing countless horrible crimes on the news, we should have the drive to take whatever steps are necessary to provide safe neighborhoods for our families. Unless every criminal is magically captured, we should never become too comfortable in our surroundings. No matter where you live, or what the crime rates are in your neck of the woods, always be prepared........

1. Be aware of registered sex offenders. There is a government website in every city that provides a very detailed list of registered sex offenders, it also offers photographs, and their addresses. If there is a child molester in your neighborhood, the list will explain the distance they are to keep from children, schools and playgrounds. Be sure to take a good look at the photos and names, this way if the offender is seen in a place he shouldn't be, he can be recognized and reported. Also, do not forget about offenders who have not yet been caught and may not be on the list, keep an eye out for new people with suspicious behavior.

2. Invest in a home security system. Of course, there is a low monthly fee, but it's worth every penny when your safety is involved. Technology has come such a long way, home security companies are now able to place panic buttons in your bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens or wherever. If you hear unusual noises in your home and get the feeling that you have an uninvited guest, you can press the panic button that will alert authorities immediately.

4. Be sure to keep all doors and windows locked. We've all done it, but when you come home, remember to lock your doors, and most of all, never forget your keys in the door. When the weather gets warmer, we like to save on our air conditioning bills so we tend to open windows. We don't want to feel like we're in seclusion, opening the windows are okay, just remember to close and lock them before bed. Also, it's not really a good idea to leave a child's window open, it only takes a minute for someone to sneak in and create your worst nightmare.

5. Keep bushes trimmed, and leave valuable items unseen. You don't want to provide a place for a burglar to hide, so make sure all bushes are trimmed and your yard is trimmed. Keep bikes, scooters or any other valuables, inside the house or in a garage.

6. Be aware of your surroundings. Get to know your neighborhood, the cars, the people and activities, this way you will be able to notice suspicious behavior.

7. Join or start a neighborhood watch. Go over safety procedures with neighbors, it will allow you to alert each other when you believe there's trouble. Make sure the neighborhood has plenty of lighting, leave your porch lights on, and report any street lights that are out.

Go the extra mile and take the necessary precautions to make sure that you and your family are safe, these efforts will also create a better environment for other families. Making small changes will make us better protectors for our children, we may not be able to save the world, but we can attempt to save our neighborhoods.

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