Violence in the news makes us all more security conscious, but criminal activity is nothing new. The threat may seem greater, but being alert and prepared remains the best defense. Burglars tend to go for easy targets. You can make your property, if not impregnable, at least very hard to get into. Dangerous new threats, such as home invasion and carjacking, call for new rules for the whole family. Confidence tricks have always come in an amazing variety of guises––and still do. By asking questions, you can avoid free vacation, offers, unnecessary medical tests, as well as sure-thing investment scams. No one is completely safe from crime, but vigilance can save your life, even when it comes to sexual predators and stalkers. Many young women were murdered by the monstrous Ted Bundy––but several did manage to escape when they heeded warning bells sounding in their heads.
