The first chapter focuses on how individuals can avoid becoming the innocent victims of rapes, robberies, murders, and assaults. It describes common modus operandi of violent criminals and reactions to such crimes that minimize injury. Also examined are child molesters and victim compensation programs. Everyday survival tips address obscene telephone calls, vulnerability of the elderly to crime, drunk driving, and drugs. The discussion of natural disasters and emergencies explains how to handle different kinds of fires as well as minor household emergencies such as power failures. Safety precautions for using power tools and pesticides are reviewed. Other common emergencies include insect control, air conditioning failure, and heating problems. Self-defense tactics to repel an attack from behind or front and from a rapist are detailed. The book presents a comprehensive lesson on using tear gas. In the consumer protection area, the authors explore common confidence schemes and scams, credit card abuse, contracts, and warranties. Specific shopping tips cover clothing, meat, cosmetics, gold, insurance, and funerals. The book's final chapter describes ways to prevent property theft, including residential burglaries, protection on vacation, auto theft, pursesnatching, parent kidnapping, forgery, loan sharking, and industrial espionage. Scenarios, interviews with professional criminals, and drawings illustrate the book's suggestions.