Amy Winehouse & Good Neighbourhood Watch

Why did Amy Winehouse's neighbour not check why when he heard screaming and howling? An extravert goes to ask. An introvert thinks: nothing to do with me.

Many people think that somebody else will do something. I would have wondered whether her bodyguard was in the house. But I would still have phoned (if I knew the number - otherwise knocked at the door) to check everything was ok, that she was not alone nor being attacked).

How can I be sure that's what I'd do? Because that's what I think one should do. And because that's what I've done on previous occasions.

I'd say to the introverts who only care about themselves and what affects them, you had better check, in your own interests. If your neighbour is high on drugs or being attacked, somebody could deliberately or accidentally set fire to their house and that would affect yours!

We should have a Good Neighbour's Ten Commandments. For example:

1 I will let my neighbour know that if they are seriously ill or in danger they can call on me any time of day or night.

2 I will give my neighbour my phone number or contact details. If this is not feasible, I will leave the numbers of other contacts, such as a relative or public organization such as social services.

3 I will keep my neighbour's contact details in a safe place.

4 I will keep details of neighbour's next of kin for emergency use.

5 If I see signs of danger such as fire or flood I will contact my neighbour to see if they are all right and offer help.

6 I will keep a first aid kit and numbers of the local doctor, fire, police and ambulance near the phone and/or door to get help quickly if needed.

7 I will keep a list of support services to offer to a neighbour, such as the UK's NHS Direct free health advice line, the number of the Samaritans.

8 I will get to know who to contact about low level crime so as to get help and advice without bothering emergency services for non-emergencies. (eg late night or all night buses for those missing a train home.)

9 I will check out emergency numbers in foreign countries. UK is 999. But the USA has different numbers for police and other services. Singapore has a number to ring 24 hours about noise complaints. Some countries have 24 hour concierge in every or most blocks of flats (France?) If in doubt I will call the police or person in charge to help to any person lying on the ground appearing to be drunk in case they have had a stroke, vomit and die of vomit inhalation, or get robbed.

10 Some US cities have curfews for children. I will check with a responsible adults if a child under five is not in the care of another adult. (Remember the Bulger case.)I will know the local age of consent which varies worldwide (and different in every US state) for drinking, driving, sex, marriage and criminal responsibility.