PROJECT C.H.I.P.S.
Kicking off a new year is a great time for reflection of the last 12 months and set in place new resolutions. Along with your diet fads and gym memberships consider taking one day to implement Project C.H.I.P.S. Many of you have time off right before the New Year, so take advantage of those hours and make it a priority to get your life and child’s safety in order for 2010!
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
Child Safety
Did you know?
- Over 2,000 U.S. kids get lost every single day – 90% of families will experience losing a child in a public place. According to PreventingLostChildren.org, 76% of parents want to know what to do to prevent their child from getting lost.
- According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children out of the nearly 800,000 children that are reported missing each year 58,000 of those children are victims of non-family abductions. This equates to a child disappearing every 40 seconds for 5 years straight. Parents… prepare for the unthinkable.
Child Identity Box
PHOTO: Take digital picture(s) of your child and print out on your printer at home, or at the local Walmart.
FINGERPRINTS – Your child’s weight, height and hair will change, but fingerprints never fail – consider getting a copy. Contact your local police department for information specific to your community.
Locate Sexual Predators
Do you know who your neighbors are? Starting off the new year is a great time to check. Log on to www.familywatchdog.us to find out if there are any registered sex offenders living in your neighborhood or next to your child’s school.
Discover More About Your Child’s Online Activities
Visit Netsmartz.org to learn about several free online applications that can help you protect your child online. For more resources on Internet safety and your children, visit Focus on the Family.
Home Safety
Did you know?
- According to Environmental Sustainability Committee this year, 222 million tons of waste will be generated by Americans.
- The FBI reports a burglary occurs every 14 seconds.
- 34% of the time thieves walk right in the front door. The next most popular points of entry include: First-floor windows – 23%; Back door – 22%; Garage – 9%; Unlocked entrances & storage areas – 6%; Basement – 4%; Second floor – 2% (cited on numerous burglary-prevention websites)
What does your trash say about what’s inside your home?
It’s that time of the year when presents are piling up and so is the trash. Your garbage says a lot about what’s inside your home. Consider breaking down holiday packaging and place it in a non-transparent garbage bag, so thieves don’t know what goodies were under the tree. You could even jump in your car and take a short trip to your local disposal center to discard holiday packaging.
Who’s peeking in?
You can never tell how vulnerable your home is until after the sun goes down. Consider turning on every light in your house and take a walk outside at night. Try to look through every window, door and opening to see what is visible from the outside. Consider making necessary changes inside your home to make the interior less visible.
Open sesame – leaving garage doors up is an open invitation for thieves
During the holidays most Americans enjoy leisurely time at home. They are out of their normal work routine and can possibly overlook daily lock checks and can be more lackadaisical about leaving their house open. Consider closing your garage door while you are home. Leaving your garage door open at any point leaves your personal belongings up for the taking. Thieves cannot only enter easily, but they can target the items they want and come back at a later time when you aren’t there. Most garages have a door entry way to the home, so make sure that door is locked at all times.
Insurance Safety
Did you know?
According to The Insurance Information Institute the top 3 questions to ask your insurance company:
- Do I have enough insurance to rebuild my home?
- Do I have enough insurance to replace all my possessions?
- Do I have enough insurance to protect my assets?
A lot changes in one year; large purchases are made, pets are acquired and home improvement projects are finally completed. Sit down and make a phone call to your insurance company to discuss your homeowner, car, life and personal liability policies. Review and make necessary changes to ensure your coverage is adequate. Often times you are eligible for discounts by being a volunteer or member of an organization. This could save you $$.
The Insurance Information Institute provides a free online software to help to inventory your possessions.
Personal Information Safety
Did you know?
- In 2008, there were 9.9 million victims of identity theft in the U.S. as reported by Javelin Strategy and Research. That was a 22% increase over 2007 data. The study also found that women were 26% more likely to be victims of identity fraud.
- The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 87 billion pieces of direct mail every year.
Many of you have time off right before the New Year, so take advantage of those hours and make it a priority to safe guard your important documents. This incl udes:
- Checking your credit reports with all three bureaus (the government entitles you to one free credit report every year)
- Shredding old files, and junk mail with personal information attached
- Changing passwords on all of your online accounts
- Purchasing a locking file cabinet
- Backing up computer files to an external hard drive and placing contents in a fire safe
- Make a photo copy of everything in your wallet
- Opt –out of pre-approved credit card offers – Call (888) 5-OPT-OUT / (888) 567-8688 or opt out online at www.optoutprescreen.com
- Register all of your phones with the do not call registry (888) 382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov
To learn more about how you can protect your personal information from thieves, visit PrivacyRights.org.
