Personal Safety

 

Do my family and I...

 

• Understand the dangers of weapons, especially firearms, and how to prevent accidents?

• Talk about the costs — personal and financial — of violence?

• Think carefully about the kinds of entertainment we watch and hear?

• Know and practice ways to settle disputes without violence?

• Understand and practice basic self-protection strategies?

 

Do my neighbors and I...

• Know each other reasonably well?

• Work together to make our neighborhoods safe for children?

• Agree on how and when to step in to prevent childrens' quarrels from becoming violent?

• Discuss how we feel about weapons, including firearms, and what rules and standards we agree on?

• Help each other by joining and taking an active role in Block Clubs and Neighborhood Watch?

• Know that there are positive ways for our children to spend their time and energy after school?

• Identify, discuss, and solve (or get help to solve) troubling conditions in our area?

• Work with local law enforcement, school officials, civic groups, and others to address larger issues for the community?

 

Does my community...

• Have and enforce sound laws and regulations for secure weapons storage and against weapons violence?

• Provide safe ways for residents to dispose of unwanted weapons?

• Actively provide resources and know-how to help residents learn how to solve problems without violence?

• Provide mentoring and other outreach services to troubled youth and families?

• Enlist young people in addressing violence problems?

• Coordinate community groups to develop comprehensive anti-violence strategies and plans?

• Offer an attractive array of both family-oriented and youth-focused events?

• Have clear standards that reject violence as a presence in the community?