Staying Safe by Juval Aviv is not an easy book to read. It will make you paranoid as all get out for weeks after finishing it. But it is a critical book to read, because it is packed with clear, concise and doable ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from the many threats facing all of us today. This is solid advice that anyone can benefit from, and just might save your life.
Aviv knows his stuff; a former Israeli Counterterrorism Intelligence Officer, he is now the President and CEO of a company devoted to helping corporations protect their assets and personnel. In this literal field guide to safety, he covers everything from safeguarding your home and keeping your family security-minded to survival and escape strategies for everything from ambushes to bombings and biohazard disasters. He tells you exactly what to do in case of terrorist attacks, nuclear reactor emergencies, hostage situations and even how to protect yourself on the Internet. And that’s just in the first part of the book!
Part Two focuses on travel safety issues with tons of advice on what to look out for when abroad, and a chapter devoted to airline safety, including hijackings. Part Three focuses on protecting your identity and your business and assets from scams, frauds, identity theft, emergencies and a host of other situations that might arise. There are detailed plans and checklists for every situation, making this a truly comprehensive guide.
The whole book doesn’t focus entirely on the scary stuff like bomb threats and terrorist attacks, but because these subjects are such a part of our times, Aviv gives the reader tools and tips for dealing with those “what if” situations we just don’t want to think about or that we always think will happen to someone else. And of course, he talks about more common disasters and emergencies such as fires, carjackings, sexual assaults, robberies and credit card theft. He also includes tons of related websites and resources for further information, including places you can by supplies your family might need in the event of an emergency.
Staying Safe is a must-read for anyone concerned about their own safety and that of their loved ones in such tenuous times, but be forewarned, it will have you feeling creeped out and looking over your shoulders for weeks after you read it! Still, the whole point of the book is to be prepared, and that extra vigilance, as uncomfortable as it might seem, can mean the difference between life or death.