Personal Safety
Boston is a relatively safe city, but you should always be cautious. Parks and gardens are beautiful, but some should be avoided and you should be very careful or bring friends if you choose to walk through them at night.
Don’t invite people that you just met at bars or restaurants to your apartment—and don’t go to their apartment if they invite you (you can exchange phone numbers or email addresses and make plans to meet each other again in the future).
Hitchhiking (having a stranger drive you to where you would like to go) is very dangerous.
Avoid carrying your purse and/or wallet loosely or in obvious places where they may be easily stolen. Don't leave purses/bags on chairs or on restroom door hooks.
Driving
Do not drive without a valid driver’s license. Learn the traffic regulations. It is the law in Massachusetts (and many other U.S. states) that you and all passengers wear seat belts unless you are in a bus or taxi.
It is a Massachusetts law for any child under age 5 or less than 40 pounds (about 18.2 kilos) to be securely buckled into a child’s safety seat unless you are in a bus or a taxi. A child’s safety seat must meet certain legal specifications (see www.massrmv.com for more details).
Do not leave your child alone in the car even for a short time. Always lock your car when parking or driving. Do not leave your packages or valuables in sight in your parked car (put them in the trunk).
Do not drive under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or with open containers of alcohol in your car. Do not ever hitchhike (let a person you do not know drive you to your destination), and do not pick up other people who are hitchhiking.
Walking
Walk only in well-lit areas. If you must walk alone, be alert and aware of what is around you. If you think someone is following you, do not lead him/her to your house/apartment. Instead, go to a nearby well-lit public place where there are other people.