Anti-terrorism, force protection tips Published June 8, 2007 By 305th Air Mobility Wing Antiterrorism Office MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- In light of recent events, and to keep overall anti-terrorism awareness front, the "Can Do" Team McGuire Anti-terrorism Office will be running a series of anti-terrorism articles. Take the time to read and employ these tips to increase your personal safety/security. This article will address general security precautions and further articles will address specific security concerns (e.g., travel security, suspicious activity). General precautions: Do not volunteer personal information. Be cautious of conversations in public places and on the telephone. Do not have rank or duty title in commercial phone books. Vary routes and times when going to and from work, taking children to school, shopping, etc. Be unpredictable and avoid establishing routines. Look for unfamiliar objects or activities when traveling by vehicle, especially during early morning or late at night. Avoid isolated areas, side streets, civil disturbances and demonstrations. Consider removing your family name from your home or vehicle. Know where your family members are at all times and encourage them to check in by telephone. Verify all deliveries and repairs through proper credentials or other documents; contact the agency or company they claim to represent for additional verification. Be alert for unidentified vehicles or personnel and exercise caution with strangers. Know your neighborhood and neighbors. Keep all outside doors and accessible windows closed and locked. Keep car and house keys separate and maintain accountability. Conduct frequent checks of your vehicles to ensure they are in good working order and there are no anomalies. Never leave young children home unattended. Examine mail for suspicious letters or parcels. Familiarize children with police and fire stations, and teach them emergency procedures and telephone numbers. Advise children to avoid isolated areas, travel and play in groups, never talk to or go anywhere with strangers and keep family members informed of their whereabouts. When making travel reservations, do not use rank or position and, if possible, use military air. When in a restaurants, locate emergency exits upon entering, choose a table with greatest field of view, avoid business conversation near other patrons and do not reveal after-dinner plans. Stress the importance of security and the seriousness of the threat to the whole family. Be alert to your surroundings and report suspicious personnel or activities to local authorities Remember to trust your instincts. If it doesn't feel right, most likely it is not. Bottom line: Outside of normal travel to and from work, never go anywhere with- out leaving a note or telling someone your intended location. There are reports of missing people everyday in our country and throughout the world. Don't become a statistic. Help can be on the way if an act of evil occurs. These tips and other important information are located in the CJCS Guide 5260, Servicemember's Personal Protection Guide: A Self-Help Handbook to Combating Terrorism, which can be found on the base intranet. Remember, anti-terrorism and Force Protection is everyone's job. For more information, call (609) 754-3791.