Census Safety - 2010 Census to Begin
THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE;
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS..
Geal Talbert, CFP
Legacy Group Wealth Management
45-1144 Kamehameha Hwy #403
Kaneohe, HI 96744
808-235-5100
Fax: 808-235-5116
geal@legacygroupwealth.com Safety through
Knowledge,
Preparation and
Awareness. Deputy Dave worked as a Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. This page will provide you with some rather basic safety information. Each home, neighborhood, family and individual have unique safety issues. Make an assessment of your unique risks.
Personal and family issues -
Neighborhood and community risks Identify the prevention technique
Self defense, flight or avoiding a situation
Alarm Systems, Neighborhood Watch
Police, paramedic or other professional help Be alert to anything violating your safety zone.
Have a plan of action for the anticipated event. Plan ahead and be ready to take action! Each Individual should make a personal security assessment. What are the risks factors in your own life?
Each family should discuss their safety issues. Make certain that young children have an escape plan and a meeting point in the event of an emergency. Identify a contact person who lives far away (outside of the crisis zone) as a check in contact in the event of a major disaster. Plan some safety practice activities.
Conduct an in home fire drill. Did you know young children try to hide from a fire. They do not know to run outside. Do they need to break a window to escape? Take the family to a fire station for a tour and fire safety tips.
Several neighbors may want to take the kids for a tour of the local police station. Call ahead and they may have an officer available for some crime prevention tips. Neighborhood Watch
If you do not have one, begin a Neighborhood Watch on your street. Call your local Police or Sheriff's Department for assistance. Check the official website for Neighborhood Watch at :www.usaonwatch.org/. Neighbors should exchange contact information with one another. In the event something happens while they are at work, police or fire personnel may need to contact them. National Night Out
Another community activity to join is the National Night Out. It is simple. Just turn on the porch light and go outside to meet with neighbors and discuss community safety issues. If your city does not currently participate in this nationwide safety awareness evening, contact your city officials. Urge them to unite the community in taking a stand against crime. Check out the website: www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/ Gun Safety
Frequently people who do not own guns believe their family may be safe from guns. The fact you do not have guns in your home is no gurantee that your children will not see a gun somewhere. They should be taught 4 basic safety steps. If they see a gun: 1. Stop 2. Do not touch 3. Leave the area 4. Tell an adult For more information on gun safety for children there is the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program. It is on the NRA website. www.nra.org/ On their home page, select the "Programs" button. On that menu you will find the menu for the Eddie Eagle safety programs. If I can be of assistance to you in personal, home or community safety issues, please feel free to call me. You may have questions about "Pepper spray," home alarms, or Crime Free Multi-housing, maybe I can give some direction. . . . No I can not fix your speeding ticket. Deputy Dave - 951-217-7301 dnampa@verizon.net Email General Home Safety Tips : - I strongly encourage you to "toughen the target" by adding and regularly using a home alarm system.
- Plan fire escape routes and practice going to a definate meeting location in front of the house.
- Young children try to hide from fire. Teach them to run away and yell "Fire!"
- When you see suspicious activity; do not watch the drama unfold. Call the police to investigate BEFORE the culprits drive away!!
- Keep phone numbers of neighbors with you at work, school or when you travel.
- Post emergency contact numbers on your refrigerator. If fire or police respond to your empty house they need to contact someone.
- Trim shrubs up from the ground so that no one can hide behind them.
- If you return home and the house is "open." DO NOT go in. Wait at a safe distance and call 9-1-1.
- Identify homes that usually have someone home in case children need to have immediate help. These SAFE HOUSES should not have a sign in the window.
Community Safety Awareness Meetings We invite you to attend our team's Community Awareness Meetings. We host meetings where we discuss: Community Safety
Information to help you family members understand safe actions and practices to avoid being a victim. Steps for organizing your community for crime prevention and networking for mutual safety. Household security includes good locks and alarms. It also includes keeping dangerous items (poisons, prescriptions, guns, power tools . . . )secure. Emergency readiness
What action should you take in the event of a sudden illness or injury? If someone is a victim,(of a crime) how should he/she react and follow through to minimize the danger/loss? Resist, run or comply. Plan ahead.
Is there a well planned and practiced fire escape procedure? Disaster Response
Disasters each bring their own issues. Earthquake, firestorm or a possible terrorist activity each require a different response and should be planned for in advance. Evacuation center living and personal survival are important considerations. First Aid and CPR
Doug is a certified trainer for CPR. Does everyone know first aid? |