If You're Like Most Americans, You Don't Know What 'Alert' Means, Which Could Be Fatal, Warns A Top Security Expert PR Newswire -- June 3, 2002 Boca Raton, Fla., June 3/PRNewswire/ -- With mind-numbing frequency, Federal authorities are issuing warnings to the public to be on alert, yet millions of Americans haven't the foggiest idea what that means, says a veteran security expert. He offers a compendium of advice in a new book, "Be Alert, Be Aware, Have A Plan." "We need to know what to be alert for. Vague statements to be on alert only confuse the public," says Neal Rawls, a 30-year law enforcement professional and corporate security director. "It would be better to teach people what being alert entails and tell them what to look out for." Rawls also advocates listening to your instincts. Many people who survived the World Trade Center tragedy did so because they trusted their instincts, he says. "We're often taught as children to discount our gut-level instincts. Today, they can help us to survive." Rawls says terrorists are like any other thugs -- they use intimidation and violence to get what they want. Most protection techniques can be used to deflect all types of criminals, from burglars to terrorists. "It's all based on being alert and aware, and having the knowledge to formulate a plan to deal with whatever might occur." Anyone can acquire the knowledge to uncover security weaknesses in their homes and places of work all by themselves. Awareness also is a powerful antidote to fear because it helps you formulate a plan. The most basic of plans is escape. Everyone should know where emergency exits are when they enter a building. Even at home, you should have a plan to escape, if it means climbing out a window. Rawls offers a test of how "streetwise" you are. "When you enter a convenience store at night, do you look around before barging right in? Do you stay out if you don't see the clerk? Do you always take a quick survey of your surroundings before leaving your car? Do you take shortcuts through parks? Vary your route each day when you run or bike?" Rawls also offers advice on what to do if a bomb explodes and during chemical and biological attacks. Contact: Carolina Lammersdorf TransMedia Group (561) 750-9800, ext. 33 CLammersdorf@transmediagroup.com