Labor Day Weekend Do's and Don'ts

08 29 2014

Happy Labor Day Weekend from SABRE! Many people will be throwing parties to see summer off, so we have safety tips to share whether you're a college student or a family about to take a weekend trip.

For those planning to attend weekend parties, here are some tips from RAINN:

  1. DO go with a group of friends to a social gathering. Arrive together, check in with each other throughout the evening, and leave together. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way out of a bad situation.
  2. DO Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut. If you see something suspicious, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.).
  3. DON'T leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom, or making a phone call. If you’ve left your drink alone, just get a new one.
  4. DON'T accept drinks from people you don't know or trust. If you choose to accept a drink, go with the person to the bar to order it, watch it being poured, and carry it yourself. At parties, don’t drink from the punch bowls or other large, common open containers.
  5. DO watch out for your friends, and vice versa. If a friend seems out of it, is way too intoxicated for the amount of alcohol they’ve had, or is acting out of character, get him or her to a safe place immediately.

For those planning trips that will leave their homes unoccupied:

1. DO use a home security system to ensure you're home is protected. Check our what the SABRE home series has to offer here.

2. DON'T let your mail or newspapers pile up on your porch. Stop your mail or ask a neighbor to collect it for you.
3. DO Invest in a dog bowl or "Beware of Dog" sign - it can deter some criminals from targeting your home.
4. DON'T cover your doors and windows on the first floor with trees or tall shrubbery. 50% of home intrusions happen through the first floor entry points, and if these access points are in plain sight, burglars are less likely to enter.
5. DO use light switch timers - again if it looks like someone is there, your home is less of a target.