Safety When Preparing To Leave

* Leave money, an extra set of keys, extra clothing, and keep copies of important documents with relatives or friends so you can leave quickly.

* Open a savings account to increase independence.

* The National Domestic Violence hot line number is 1-800-799-SAFE. Memorize it.

* Keep change for phone calls at all times.

* Understand that if you use a telephone credit card, the following month the telephone bill will list those numbers called. To keep telephone communications confidential, either use coins or get a friends permission to use their telephone credit card.

* Rehearse an escape plan and, as appropriate, practice it with the children.