Being prepared means being in control. Here is hard-won advice from a veteran security expert for people who want to protect themselves and their families in any situation. Whether you're letting the kids out to play, making an ATM withdrawal, driving through a strange city, or leaving your home for a weeklong vacation, the threat of danger-unlikely as you hope it might be-is real. Rather than focusing on fixing problems after they've occurred, Be Alert, Be Aware, Have a Plan shows how to prevent them in the first place. You don't need a personal bodyguard, rigorous training, or a fortified living space to live safely, points out Neal Rawls. What you do need is a sense of security that will lead to good habits that in turn will keep you safe. Rawls, a veteran police sergeant and a former director of security for a major corporation, shows how to develop the right security instincts. He provides answers to such questions as: How secure is my workplace? How do I stay safe while out in public? Can I travel safely? Can anything be done to protect myself in a chemical or biological attack? Be Alert, Be Aware, Have a Plan will allow you to develop a foundation that can be expanded to serve you in even the worst circumstances. Profusely peppered throughout are anecdotes, lists, and quizzes to keep the reader on the right track to personal safety. There is simply nothing like it available. Travel safely on foot; teach your kids to protect themselves; hire a babysitter; avoid being followed; prevent muggings; protect your home from burglary; stop credit card fraud; deal with phone solicitations; counter road rage; avoid car theft and carjackings; react to terrorist attacks and natural disasters; stay secure in a hotel or motel; prevent stalking; use the Internet safely; react to chemical spills and other biological hazards and much, much more.