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Welcome
I don't want anyone to get the idea that downtown Los Angeles is an extremely dangerous place. There are far more dangerous areas in this city, and there are far more dangerious citys than Los Angeles. But LA is a city, a very BIG city. Wheather you are downtown, West Hollywood, Venice, South Central, or somewhere in the Valley, the same safety and security precautions apply. I have included some resources that I believe will make your Los Angeles experience a bit safer. I have also included links to places of interest and sites that I hope you will find useful. While most of the videos on this site deal with the very serious topic of safety and security, a few related to Los Angeles are just for fun. Life is not all serious.This site is in no way related to any security company or its clients. Unless otherwise stated, all opinions expressed here are mine, and mine alone. Names of private individuals will never be used, nor will I publish the names of apartment and loft complexes or give any descriptions that would otherwise identify them. Other sites offer forums for this sort of blogging.
If you have found this site, chances are you know me and know where I work. If you would like to contact me, feel free to use my Email at the bottom of the page.
Be sure to take a look at the videos and books pages. I will be updating them and adding many more. Also, check out this sites new blog page. I also have just added a page on animal abuse. This is a topic that is very dear to me. Note: for this site to work properly, Java Script must be enabled.
Terry Young
Be Safe on the Streets
1. Wherever you are, stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.Parking Lot Safety
2. Communicate that you are calm, confident and know where you are going.
3. Stand tall, walk purposefully and make quick eye contact with people around you.
4. Stick to well-lighted areas and busy streets. Avoid dark doorways, alleys and areas hidden by trees and shrubbery.
5. Walk with a companion whenever possible.
6. Don't overload yourself with packages and don't wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.
7. Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets such as jewelry and expensive clothes.
8. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the strap, and keep a firm grasp on it. Carry a wallet
in an inside coat or front trouser pocket.
9. If you think someone is following you, abruptly switch directions and walk toward an open store, restaurant or lighted home. If you are really scared, scream for help.
10. Remember, criminals look for the easiest opportunities. BE ALERT, CAUTIOUS AND CONFIDENT!
1. Park only in a well-lighted and a highly-visible location.
2. If you cannot see 100 feet at night, park elsewhere.
3. Park in higher traffic areas of the lot, if possible.
4. Move your car during the day to improve its' location. 5. Remove all interior valuables from plain view. Even trash may look inviting if a theif mistakes it for something valuable.
6. Lock your doors and roll up all windows.
7. Use a highly-visible steering wheel or brake pedal locking device.
8. Use a car alarm and alarm decals, if possible.
8. Use valet parking for greater personal security, if available.
Tips To Avoid Carjacking
You're sitting in your car at an intersection waiting for the light to turn green and listening to music on your CD player.A carjacker appears at your window from out of nowhere. You didn't even see it coming! And that is exactly what street robbers and carjackers prefer-----the element of surprise! According to Police and security experts, most victims of carjacking say they "never saw it coming" until it was too late!
Here Are 21 Good Ways To Avoid Being Carjacked
To reduce your risk of being carjacked, we have listed some common sense steps for you below:
1. Always park in well lighted areas, if you plan to arrive or leave after dark.
2. Don't park in isolated or visually obstructed areas near walls or heavy foliage.
3. If you're a woman driving alone, experts suggest that you use valet parking or use an attended garage. Important to remember if you use valet parking is never to leave anything in your car containing personal information that can be stolen or used for identity theft.
4. As you walk to your car, always be alert to suspicious people just sitting in cars. Many times carjackers use this technique to spot potential victims who aren't paying attention.
5. One of the best pieces of advice from security experts is this. If you are alone at a shopping mall, don't be afraid to ask a security officer to escort you to your car. It just might save your car from being stolen---or your life being put at risk! So, do the smart thing! Ask for help.
6. Another favorite carjacking method used by young males is loitering in areas and handing out fliers, etc. So, pay attention to your surroundings and avoid places that just don't "feel right".
7. Well, what should you do if you see someone approaching you on the way to your car? Either change directions or run into a busy store. Alert mall security about what happened.
8. Many times--and I can't understand why---people don't listen to their "gut instincts". If a situation doesn't feel right---Get Out Of There In A Hurry!
9. Very few people go to the extreme of looking under, around and inside their car as they approach it. Security experts all agree, this is a great way to keep alert to protect yourself from carjacking!
10. Don't open your car door unless you absolutely feel sure that it is safe to do so. Enter quickly and then lock the doors. If you don't feel safe, start the horn blowing by using your keyless entry button.
11. Don't be a target by turning your back while loading packages into your car.
12. One of the easiest ways to avoid carjacking is to make it your habit to always start your car and drive away immediately. The longer you linger inside your car without driving away, the better target you become for carjackers.
13. Teach and practice with your children to enter and exit your car quickly.
14. Especially in cities, always drive with your car doors locked and the windows rolled up. All it takes from you is an instant of not being focused and it could cost you your car----or even worse---your life!
15. Here is a great method to avoid carjacking. When stopped in traffic, leave room to maneuver and escape, if necessary.
16. This is one of THE GREATEST RISKS you can face! If you are bumped in traffic, don't get out of the car! Use your cell phone to call the Police. Many time carjackers use this technique so that the drivers get out of their cars. At that point, it's easy for them to overpower you and steal your car. Stay alert--don't let this happen to you!
17. If your car is bumped from behind, just wave for the other car to follow yours to a gas station or other busy place before getting out. Again, we suggest that you call the Police even before you get out of the car. You just can't afford to take chances with your car or your life!
18. If you are ever confronted by an armed carjacker--Do Not Resist! Always remember--your car can be replaced. But once your life is gone--it's over forever!
19. Give up your keys or money if demanded without resistance.
20. The very last thing that you want to do is argue, fight or chase the carjacker. You could be seriously injured or killed. So, don't do it--it's not worth it.
21. Never agree to be kidnapped! Either drop the keys or throw them away from the car as far as you can. When the carjacker goes for the keys--get out of there as fast as you can.
Fire Extinguisher UseAll fires can be very dangerous and life-threatening. Your safety should always be your primary concern when attempting to fight a fire.
Before deciding to fight a fire, be certain that:
1. The fire is small and not spreading. A fire can double in size within two or three minutes.
2. You have the proper fire extinguisher for what is burning.
3. The fire won't block your exit if you can't control it. A good way to ensure this is to keep the exit at your back.
4. You know your fire extinguisher works. Inspect extinguishers once a month for dents, leaks or other signs of damage. Assure the pressure is at the recommended level. On extinguishers equipped with a gauge, the needle should be in the green zone - not too high and not too low.
5. You know how to use your fire extinguisher. There's not enough time to read instructions when a fire occurs.
How to Fight a Fire Safely:
1. Always stand with an exit at your back.
2. Stand several feet away from the fire, moving closer once the fire starts to diminish.
3. Use a sweeping motion and aim at the base of the fire.
4. If possible, use a "buddy system" to have someone back you up or call for help if something goes wrong.
5. Be sure to watch the area for awhile to ensure it doesn't re-ignite.Never Fight A Fire If:
1. The fire is spreading rapidly. Only use a fire extinguisher when the fire is in its early stages.
If the fire is already spreading quickly, evacuate and call the fire department.
2. You don't know what is burning. Unless you know what is burning, you won't know what type of fire extinguisher to use.
Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there could be something that will explode or produce highly toxic smoke. You don't have the proper fire extinguisher. The wrong type of extinguisher can be dangerous or life-threatening.
3. There is too much smoke or you are at risk of inhaling smoke. Seven out of ten fire-related deaths occur from breathing poisonous gases produced by the fire.
Any sort of fire will produce some amount of carbon monoxide, the most deadly gas produced by a fire.Materials such as wool, silk, nylon and some plastics can produce other highly toxic gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, or hydrogen chloride. Beware - all of these can be fatal.
Smoke inhallation or exposure to fire itself can be life threatening so get educated about the basics in CPR and burn treatment.
