Safety Steps
1. Keep emergency phone numbers at hand.
2. Find a trustworthy person you can call on in an emergency (or the
COPE 24-hour hotline 575-437-2673) and develop plans about
contacting the Police or finding a temporary safe place to go.
3. Plan an escape route.
4. Keep an extra set of house and car keys hidden somewhere safe so
that you can leave quickly.
5. Begin to save money now for use when you leave. If you have a
joint checking account, make sure you can withdraw money. Save
a little each week from grocery money.
6. In a safe place that is accessible to you 24 hours a day, keep some
money, important phone numbers, ID, change of clothing for a
couple of days, needed medication, copies of essential legal papers
for yourself and children, such as: 1) medical cards (2) social
security cards (3) INS or citizenship papers (4) Birth Certificates
(5) Protection Order papers, and anything else you would want for
yourself and your children.
7. These are suggested safety measures. If you are at risk, just get out
and call for help. COPE can help you get what you need. Your
safety is most important!