During the fall and winter months, darkness arrives earlier in the day. As such, extra safety precautions should be taken when moving from your vehicles to your homes. It is recommended that if you are arriving home after darkness falls that you have some interior and exterior lights on to greet you as you arrive.

For exterior lighting please consider the following options:

* Motion sensor lighting can be effective but it does have to be properly adjusted so that it catches movement by people but does not pick up every rabbit or raccoon as it crosses your yard or driveway.

* Low level lighting such as a 40 or 60 watt conventional or compact fluorescent bulbs with dusk to dawn sensors are my favorite. With a dusk to dawn sensor it comes on and off automatically and provides enough light for facial, color and clothing recognition while not providing an overpowering light. Further it is on during all hours of darkness and lighting is one of the biggest deterrents to neighborhood crime. Of course, it appears as if the compact fluorescent is more efficient to operate.

* If you have a larger property you may want to consider High Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixtures and lights. HPS Light fixtures come complete with either a 35W bulb that is equal to a 175W incandescent bulb or a 50W bulb that is equal to a 210W incandescent bulb. The fixture with bulb and dusk to dawn sensor included is approximately $50.00 to $100.00; they replace most existing fixtures and can be found at most home or hardware stores. Each bulb should last approximately 5 years and currently costs about $4.00 to replace. Annual operating cost for a 35W HPS bulb is estimated to be between $18 and $25 annually based on 12 hours of operation per day. This type of lighting also provides good recognition

If you park in the driveway or a detached garage, don¡¦t be in a hurry to drive up your driveway. Take your time, looking around and listening with your window cracked open while you drive in as well as before exiting your vehicle.

If you do have a garage and don¡¦t have an electric door opener, consider one as it allows you to stay in your car providing extra light and time to check for suspicious activity as the garage door opens.

Consider carrying a noise making device such as a whistle should you need to gain the attention of neighbors or family during an emergency.

Most of us have those timers inside our home we use when we can escape reality and run away on vacation. Have you ever considered using them during fall and winter so that the interior of your house is lit up upon your arrival? It also gives your home the appearance of being occupied as darkness sets in. Further, consider having a radio tuned into talk radio, this too will make any potential burglars or thieves that the home is occupied.

A hit and run accident is an accident in which one of the vehicle operators leaves the scene prior to police arrival on a reportable accident, or the exchange of names and insurance information on a non-reportable accident. In the State of Wisconsin a reportable accident is any accident where one or more of the vehicles has $1,000.00 or more estimated damage or there is personal injury. For example, a two vehicle accident where the estimated damage to one vehicle is $750.00 and the other vehicle is $900.00 without injury does not need to be reported. But given that same accident, if either one or both of the vehicles has sustained more than $1,000.00 in estimated damage, or any passenger in any vehicle is injured, then a State accident report needs to be filed. When in doubt contact the local law enforcement agency.

 

Being aware following an accident will make all the difference. If you are in an accident, but especially a hit and run accident, be sure to get as much identifying information about the other vehicle and driver as possible. Things to look for are the license plate, make, model and color of the vehicle, the type and location of any damage to the vehicle and any other identifying features such as antennas, bumper stickers, extra lighting and anything that would make the vehicle recognizable. Also, try to find anyone who may have been in the area and can provide more information to the police once they respond. If you find other witnesses and they cannot or will not remain, try to solicit their name and phone number so that police can follow up with them.

 

Be suspicious of those drivers that do stop right away but want to give you money or ask for money in an effort to leave the police out of the incident. If they want to give you money, there is an underlying reason why they don’t want the police involved. If they are trying to get money from you on the scene, that may be an initial indication that they are trying to take advantage of you or even that the accident wasn’t “Accidental” at all.

 

The thing to keep in mind following any accident is make sure you assess to see if there are any injuries. If there are injuries, take the appropriate steps which will include contacting police and fire personnel; render first aid if you are qualified. Whether there are injuries or not, keep your wits about you and use your common sense. Having a cell phone along with you while you travel is clearly an asset. And again, when in doubt as to whether an accident is reportable or not, contact local law enforcement.

This coming weekend and the week following is going to be cold according to forecasters. Here a few safety tips regarding your vehicle and traveling.

- Never start your vehicle and leave it running unattended and unlocked.

- Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in a running vehicle.

- Never drive your vehicle until all the windows are completely free of ice and snow. It is unlawful to drive
with an obstructed view.

- Have a cell phone with you while traveling.

- Ensure you let friends and loved ones know your route of travel as well as the time you plan to arrive
and/or return.

- Have an emergency kit inside your vehicle which should include at a minimum extra appropriate winter
clothing, blanket, flares, snacks, matches, emergency candle and “Help” or “Call Police” Signs. See fit to
add anything else you feel is needed.

- Only abandon your vehicle if you can make it to a safe haven, never go off wandering for help. If you do
abandon your vehicle contact the area law enforcement agency immediately to advise them of the
situation.

Following these few simple tips should help you stay warm and safe during the cold driving season. If you can think of anything to add to this list, please contact me via email by following the link provided at the top of the blog.

Officer Donald M. Semega (Don)
Wauwatosa Police Department
Community Support Division.