Safety Tips

Personal Safety Resolutions for the New Year

Jennifer Waggoner on January 2, 2017

January is a time when people decide that it’s time to get fit, eat less, quit smoking, and generally get healthier. New Year’s resolutions are made and quickly forgotten as life gets in the way. Instead of making a resolution that you aren’t likely to stick to, why not concentrate on making this year a safer one?

We are generally protected by the police and other members of law enforcement in our communities, but our first line of defense is ourselves. When we are more aware of our own safety and stake steps to protect it, we are much better off. Here are ways that you can make this year the safest one yet for you and your family.

1. Identity Theft

Identity theft is old news to some, until they are dealing with it personally. Don’t get negligent or complacent when it comes to protecting your identity. Review your bank and credit card statements regularly, and remove your personal information from websites where it has been stored.

2. Parking

You will go the store several times in the coming months. Keep parking safety in mind. Always park in well-lit areas, have your keys in your hand when approaching your vehicle, and ask for an escort from the store staff if you are walking to your vehicle alone in the dark.

3. Stay Aware

It is easy to let our guard down when we are walking with a purpose. Whether you are exercising or trying to get into a building, keep your wits about you. Complacency is the enemy when you are moving about. Know where you are, pay attention to the people around you and keep your personal belongings tucked out of sight.

4. Driving

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t drive if you’ve been drinking. That said, it is also important that you keep a first aid and emergency kit in your car. Keep an eye on the weather reports to know what type of conditions you will be driving in. If you come across a disabled vehicle on the side of the road, call emergency services but be careful about stopping.

5. At Home

Make sure that you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed. Help to deter theft by making sure your exterior is well lit and landscaping is cut back away from doors and windows. If you don’t already have one, consider having a security system installed.

Keeping yourself safe in the new year should be a priority. Follow the tips above to make sure that you and your family have the best year that you can have. Don’t make the mistake of relying on anyone else to ensure the safety of you, your property and your loved ones.

If you find yourself charged with a crime and arrested in Orlando, reach out to our team. We will help you schedule a free case evaluation and advise you of the options available to you. Call today or browse our website for more information about our firm and the types of cases we handle.

Identity Theft Basics

Jennifer Waggoner on August 10, 2015

Identity theft is a crime that has long been in the news. Unfortunately, it is also a crime that is still occurring on an all-too-frequent basis. People discover that they are the victims of identity theft on a daily basis. Here’s what you need to know.

The crime is one in which a person obtains someone else’s personal identification information. This may include a Social Security number, driver’s license number, or even bank account information. The purpose of obtaining this private information is to obtain services, merchandise, or credit in the name of the victim. Not only does the criminal use the information for these purposes, but they may also use it to create an entirely new identity of their own.

Law enforcement classifies identity theft in two ways: account takeover and true name. Account takeover means that the person utilizes accounts that are already in place. They will often change the address on the account, running up large bills before the victim even knows what happened.

True name identity theft occurs when a criminal uses personal information to set up new accounts. These may include bank accounts, credit card accounts, and even cellular phone accounts. This is often the more aggravating type of identity theft as it can take years to unravel and recover from.

Thieves can obtain the personal information from others in a variety of ways. A savvy thief may crack an online database and steal information that way. More common, though, is the person who utilizes old-fashioned methods. Dumpster diving and the retrieval of discarded mail is still the tried and true method of stealing identities.

Shoulder surfing is another method of obtaining information. Thieves stand in very close proximity to victims at ATM machines, in checkout lines, or at public offices. By looking over the shoulder of a victim as they complete transactions, thieves can very quickly discover all they need to know.

Knowing how identity theft works is one of the first ways to protect yourself. Stay aware of your surroundings, shred your mail, and change online passwords frequently. None of these ways are foolproof, but they do go a long way in keeping your identity safe.

If you have been arrested for a crime, you need an experienced attorney on your side. Contact our law offices now to speak with a member of our team. First consultations are always free. Call us today.

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How to Know if You Are the Cause of Road Rage

Jennifer Waggoner on August 5, 2015

Most people understand what road rage is. The phenomenon is on the news, it’s in the papers, and stories of it abound online. What some do not understand is that they may be the very real cause of someone else’s road rage. Sure, you may be cool as a cucumber behind the wheel, but are your driving habits causing others to see red? Read on to discover if your driving habits could be the fuel that lights the fire under someone else’s rage.

Tailgating

Yes. We have all been behind the driver who insists on traveling miles under the speed limit. For them, it’s a Sunday drive every day. Let’s face it: No matter how close you get to their bumper, they aren’t going to travel any faster.

Tailgating is one of the top causes of road rage. Keep at least a car’s length between you and the car in front of you. If you simply can’t stay off of their bumper, pass the car when it is safe to do so or head down another street.

Horn

Your car’s horn is meant to be a brief signal to another driver, not an entire conversation. Use your horn sparingly and only when necessary. Like tailgating, laying on the horn isn’t going to make anyone drive differently and may, in fact, make them quite angry.

Headlight Flashing

Unless you are trying to signal that someone’s brights are on or their headlights are off, don’t flash your own. Flashing headlights is not only annoying, but it can distract other drivers.

Switching Lanes

You are not a Nascar driver. The left lane is for passing slower moving vehicles ahead of you. It is not meant to be used so you can weave in and out of traffic going 20 mph faster than everyone else. Stay in the right-hand lane and maintain the speed limit.

Gesturing

Throwing your hands up, giving the one-finger salute, and shooting a death stare at another driver does nothing for you. Did they mess up? Maybe. Did they annoy you? Probably. You never know how the person is going to react to your gestures. Keep them to yourself.

Staying Glued to Your Phone

There is almost nothing that irritates other drivers more than one who is so engrossed in a cell phone conversation that they are a danger to others on the road. You may think you can talk on your phone safely while you drive, but you are wrong. Stay off the phone and pay attention to the road.

If any of these things sound like what you do when you are behind the wheel, you need to take a closer look at your driving habits. You may very well be the cause of road rage.

If you have been arrested for a crime in Orlando or the surrounding area, call our offices today. Our experienced team of attorneys is ready to defend you to the best of their ability. Call now.

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