VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION

• Motor vehicles have become an important part of our lifestyle. Ninety per cent of car theft arrests involve persons under 25. Two thirds of all thefts occur at night. Prime targets are late model cars, or sporty models and high powered models. Theft of automobiles and of valuables left inside automobiles can usually be prevented by following these simple precautions:

•  Never leave your vehicle with the engine running.

•  Always lock all doors and windows of your vehicle after entering and exiting.

•  Never leave an identification tag on your key ring. Thieves may use it to locate your home or car.

•  Never hide a spare key in the car, thieves know where to look for it.

•  Never leave personal identification or valuables in the vehicle. Lock all valuables in the trunk. Don't tempt thieves by leaving packages, cameras, or purses on the seat.

•  Mount tape decks and CD players inconspicuously. If you have a portable phone in the car, use mountings that allow you to take the equipment with you or at least store in the trunk for safekeeping.

•  Park in well-lit, busy areas for your own safety as well as your car's.

•  Engrave removable accessories such as stereo's, CB equipment, telephones etc.

•  Consider buying smooth, non-flared locking buttons for your car doors.

•  A variety of other devises are available to safeguard your vehicle, i.e. hood locks, alarms, and kill switches to prevent hot wiring.

BICYCLE SAFETY

• Bicycles are vehicles and cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers. Riding by the same set of rules as motorists makes you predictable and reduces your risk of having an accident. If you follow a few simple rules you will not be compromising your safety.

•  Always check your bicycle for size. If you can stand above the horizontal cross-bar with both feet flat on the ground, your bicycle seat at hip level, the fit is right.

•  You must have a white front light and a red light or reflector if you ride your bike half an hour before sunset until half an hour after sunrise.

•  Your bike must be equipped with a bell or horn.

•  You must ride your bike on the right-hand side of the road, single file with the flow of traffic.

•  Your bike must have at least one braking system.

•  You must signal your intentions to turn or stop, use your hand signals.

•  You must obey all signs and traffic lights i.e. stop for stop signs and red lights.

•  Listening to portable stereos or wearing headphones can be dangerous.

•  Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce risk of serious head injury by 85 per cent. Remember, your helmet is a safety tool to protect your head