| SAFETY MEASURES WHILE LIVING ALONE
Change the locks on my doors and windows as soon as possible. Replace wooden doors with steel or metal doors.
Change my telephone number.
Install security systems, including additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge against doors, an electronic system, etc. Install an outside lighting system that lights up when a person is coming close to my house.
Purchase rope ladders to be used for escape from second floor windows.
Install smoke detectors and purchase fire extinguishers for each floor in my house or apartment.
Tell ______________ (neighbors, landlord) that my partner no longer resides with me. I will ask him/her to call the police if he is observed near my residence.
Plan for: What if ...
If my partner comes through the front door, I will ...
If my partner shows up at night, I will ...
If my partner follows me in his car, I will ...
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Find a lawyer knowledgeable about family violence to explore custody, visitation and divorce provisions that protect you and your children.
If I choose to use a weapon, I will take classes to learn how to use it and will follow all safety precautions. I will prepare to keep my children safe from the weapon.
CHILDREN
I will teach my children how to use the telephone to make a collect call to me and to _____________________ (friend, minister, other) in the event that my partner takes them away.
I will rehearse the safety plan with my children for when I'm not with them.
I will tell people who take care of my children which people have permission to pick up my children, and that my partner is not permitted to do so. (I will give a copy of the court order to school authorities. If I can include a photo of him, I will do so.)
The people I will inform about pick-up permission include:
School administrators, teachers and secretary Day care staff Babysitter Sunday school teacher Neighbors Family members Friends Pastor Others
I will always keep a
cell phone with me. All cell phones can call 911.
I will keep this document in a safe place and out of the reach of my potential attacker.
Review date:_________________________
|
Maury County 24--hour Crisis and Referral Hotline at 931-381-8580 OR National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) |
Maury County Center Against Domestic Violence P.O. Box 1961, Columbia, TN 38402 Or contact us at: 931-840-0916 |