Personal safety, whether at home or at work, is a topic we don’t often think about enough, probably because we have this “it can’t happen to me” mentality. But every day, people just like us are abused, raped, robbed, ripped off and victimized…and many times these crimes are completely avoidable with a few simple steps and precautions.

Think Safe by James M. McGrew is a great guidebook filled with tips and ideas on protecting yourself and your loved ones from all kinds of crimes and threats. The author has over thirty years experience dealing with security programs in the public and private sector, and has plenty of proactive advice for anyone who wants to lessen their exposure to potential abuse, crime and violence.

Chapters cover everything from child safety at home and at school, choosing a reputable day care facility, domestic violence, teenage depression, sexual abuse and harassment, identity theft, elder abuse, insurance scams and potential workplace violence. Each chapter offers warning signs you can look out for, as well as practical ways of both avoiding situations, and what to do should you be so unfortunate as to end up a victim.

There are also checklists of things you can do in advance to protect yourself and your assets from fraud, scams and criminal intent, as well as plenty of statistics about crime that will really open your eyes to just how easy it is to become an unwitting victim. The author also provides resources for further investigation when needed, such as how to contact credit reporting agencies if you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

Some of the chapters could have used a bit more meat, and sections on teenage depression, car-jacking, sexual harassment and a couple of other hot topics get too little attention, but for the most part, Think Safe is a solid and information-packed resource that should be kept at home and at the workplace, and read often and thoroughly.

Because, believe it or not, it can happen to you. But isn’t it good to know that you can do something to lessen your chances of becoming a statistic? This book can show you how.