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| Residential Security |
| 1. |
Hire a guard to protect your property 24 hours per day! This guard should stand post adjacent to your primary gate and should conduct routine foot patrols along the perimeter of your property. |
| 2. |
Install security features at your residence: Ensure that you have a 9-12 foot perimeter wall w/ boundary spikes; install adequate lighting around your entire perimeter and property interior; install quality deadbolt locks (and solid wood-core or iron doors) at all points-of-entry/exit; install a quality electronic alarm system (w/ alarm siren to the exterior); install shatter resistant window film on all forward-facing windows/glass; design a safe-haven room (i.e. an area inside in which you can “hunker down”) complete with food, water, medical supplies, communication and robust door/window protection; install iron window grilles on all windows (install a break-away window grille section in all occupied bedrooms); install peep-holes on all doors leading to the outside. |
| 3. |
Make sure that you have an operational fire extinguisher and smoke alarms in all areas of the house. |
| 4. |
Don’t disseminate copies of your keys! If you lose your residential keys, have your locks changed immediately. |
| 5. |
Do not allow unauthorized persons entry into your house. Only allow individuals that you are thoroughly familiar with onto your property. |
| 6. |
Trim any overhanging limbs or branches that someone could use as an access point onto your property. |
| 7. |
Keep all of your valuables secured in an interior safe or locked container. |
| Personal Security and Street Safety |
| 1. |
Assailants tend to prey on people who appear preoccupied or confused, so the primary rule of street smarts is to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. |
| 2. |
When walking, keep your back straight, hold your head high, and take a determined stride. Continually glance to the left and right, so you know who and what is nearby. |
| 3. |
If someone stops you to ask for directions or the time, step away at least two-and-a-half arm lengths, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, and speak in a neutral but authoritative tone. Never take your eyes off the person's face and hands. Answer quickly and continue walking. |
| 4. |
Walk in the middle of the sidewalk, facing traffic. Some purse-snatchers ride motorcycles or bicycles. |
| 5. |
Pickpockets operate most successfully in crowds. In a crowd, women should tuck their purse in the crook of their arm and keep it close to their body. Keep a hand over the clasp. It is best not to carry a purse at all if you can avoid it. Don't sling your purse across your chest, as a purse-snatcher's yank could cause painful neck injury. |
| 6. |
Vary your routes, routines and schedules - be unpredictable. |
| 7. |
Men should keep their wallets in a front pocket and in crowds should keep a hand on their pocket over their wallet. |
| 8. |
Don't wear expensive jewelry when walking and shopping. You're only making yourself a potential target for street criminals. |
| 9. |
It is always a good idea to keep some money separate from your wallet, so you will not lose everything at one time. Carry only the identification cards, money and credit cards you will actually need. If your BG Diplomatic ID card is stolen notify the RSO and Personnel office immediately. |
| 10. |
If someone suspicious is following you, walk into the nearest store or restaurant and ask for assistance. Let the suspicious person know that you are aware of him or her. |
| 11. |
Remember – stay off of the streets (on foot) after dark – and do not use any forms of public transportation in Dhaka. |
| The following is a general checklist intended to help Expatriate families in Bangladesh prepare for emergencies: |
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• Do I/we know where all fire extinguishers are located within our home?
• Do I/we know where gas shut off valves are located in the kitchen and outside the house? Do I/we know how to shut off the valves?
• Do I/we know emergency escape routes from my house?
• Do I/we know how to secure the gates to our home?
• Do I/we know how to arm and disarm the residential security alarm system?
• Do I/we know where the safe haven in my home is located?
• Do I/we know how to secure the safe haven?
• Do I/we know which television channels carry local news in English?
• Do I/we know where important phone numbers can be found?
• Have I/we discussed these issues with my household staff? |
These are examples of questions to ask in the event of a civil disturbance and are intended to get you and your family thinking about what you may need to know if you are required to shelter in place. Contact : www.issit.org, Cell: 8801552479682.
Experience shows that the best laid plans can easily come unraveled in the event of an emergency. Like emergency contingency plans within government facilities, emergency plans at home must be drilled. |
| Domestic Staff Security Awareness |
| 1. |
Domestic staff can aid or detract from the security of a household. Domestic staff should be briefed on security practices. It is critical that they be rehearsed and re-briefed from time to time to refresh their memory and to update previous instructions. Domestic staff should be briefed on visitor control, how to report suspicious or unusual activity, proper telephone answering procedures and admittance of maintenance personnel to the residence. They should also be made aware of emergency telephone numbers. |
| 2. |
Domestic staff should not be allowed to admit visitors without specific approval. When visitors are expected, domestic staff should be informed of their probable time of arrival and identification, and should not unlock or open the door until visitors have been properly identified. |
| 3. |
Domestic staff should never give a caller the impression that nobody is home, nor should they tell when the occupants are expected. They should be directed to reply that occupants are busy and will return the call if the caller will leave his/her name and telephone number. |
| 4. |
Domestic staff should not be allowed to overhear family plans and official business. Letters and business information should not be left unsecured in the residence. |
| 5. |
Personal drivers should vary routes and times – locking all doors, keeping windows rolled up and maintaining at least half a tank of fuel at all times. Personal drivers should not engage in conversation with outsiders associated with your nationality, job, residence or schedule. |
| 6. |
Employers should try to gauge the alertness and attitudes of domestic help and other local national employees for indications of laxness or changes of allegiance. Suspicious activity on the part of domestic staff should be confronted. |
| 7. |
Men should keep their wallets in a front pocket and in crowds should keep a hand on their pocket over their wallet. |
| 8. |
Hire Domestic staff who have vetted references and who have received training. |
| 9. |
In the event of an adverse employment situation (i.e. preparing to terminate, suspicion regarding potential theft), be prepared to ask staff to leave the premises immediately. |
| Automobile Security |
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Before getting into your vehicle –
Take a few seconds to inspect your vehicle before getting into it.
Walk completely around your vehicle looking for:
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| 1. |
Objects placed in the path of your tires or on top of your tires. |
| 2. |
Fingerprints (if you car is dusty) around the doors, trunk or hood areas of the vehicles. |
| 3. |
Wires protruding from the doors, hood, truck or gasoline cap. |
| 4. |
Pieces of cut wire or electrical tape lying on the ground beneath or near your vehicle. |
| 5. |
Signs of forced entry. |
| 6. |
Look into the back seat to ensure that the car is empty |
| 7. |
Make sure your vehicle is well serviced and dependable! |
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Driving your vehicle –
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| 1. |
Keep your doors locked, windows rolled up and seatbelt on at all times!
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| 2. |
Vary your routes to and from work and vary your departure and arrival times frequently by at least 20-30 minutes. Be systematically unsystematic! |
| 3. |
Avoid parking in unsecured areas and places that will be unlit at night. |
| 4. |
Be aware of your surroundings, know who is pulling along side of you. You should also be watching what is taking place at least three blocks ahead of you. |
| 5. |
While you're driving, be prepared to take evasive actions. Play the "what if game" and think of what evasive action you would take if the persons in the car next to you initiated an attack. |
| 6. |
Remember that your vehicle is a 2,000-pound weapon and can be used very effectively against attackers – be prepared to take action! |
| 7. |
Be alert for motorcycles or bicycles stopping next to your car, particularly if there are two riders. |
| Residential Preparedness |
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Advance preparation for emergencies is critical, especially since most emergencies occur without warning. Whether a natural disaster, medical emergency or civil unrest, it is prudent to be ready ahead of time. The following guidelines are offered to assist residents of Bangladesh in preparing for unforeseen emergency situations. |
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Water
You should have at least a seven-day supply of water. You should plan for at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.
Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account: |
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• Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
• Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
• Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
• A medical emergency might require additional water. |
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Food
Store at least a seven-day supply of non-perishable foods. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.
Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener.
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• Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Staples--sugar, salt, pepper
• High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins
• Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs
• Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags |
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Non-prescription drugs
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• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center) |
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Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. |
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• Jacket or coat
• Long pants
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Hat, gloves and scarf
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Sanitation
• Toilet paper
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Personal hygiene items
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach
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Tools |
| . |
• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler's checks, change
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
• Pliers
• First Aid Kit
• Scissors
• Tape
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Paper, pencil
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters, safe areas or other allied Embassies) |
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Communications |
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Ensure that all persons in your household know how to use cell phones, including children. Keep your cell phone charged at all times. |
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Special Items |
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Remember members of your household with special needs, such as infants and elderly or physically challenged persons. |
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For Baby |
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• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Pacifiers
• Powdered milk
• Medications |
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For Adults |
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• Heart and high blood pressure medications
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses
• Hearing aid batteries
• Important Documents |
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Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container: |
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• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Photo IDs, passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards |
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