Safety tips for women

12 years ago

We live in an increasingly violent society where crime has become extremely prevalent. As a result, personal safety has become a primary concern, especially for women.

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Here are a few tips to help keep you safe:

Awareness – This is your first line of defense. Always make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. When walking alone, avoid talking on the phone until you reach your destination. You will not be able to hear or see effectively if you are distracted by your conversation.

Carry a form of protection – Men naturally dominate women physically, therefore it is a good idea for women to carry a form of protection such as, a gun, stun gun, pepper spray, knife, etc; all of which can be found at a tactical store. It is important to remember that if you carry your protection in your purse, it needs to be easily accessible; you will only waste time and alert the attacker of your intentions while you fumble around looking for it.

Practice – We are creatures of habit. Practicing your self-defense mechanism will ensure that you are programmed to react in the event of danger. If you are unaware of how long it will take you to obtain your weapon, this may lead to an unfortunate situation.

Carry Cash – Women should carry at least $20 cash on them at all times. In the event of an unpredicted circumstance such as, paying for parking that is cash only or a credit card reader malfunction, you will have the means to assist your needs. Not carrying cash may lead to visits to the ATM at undesirable times.

Keep copies of important documents – In the event that your purse is stolen, it is difficult to prove your identity without proper identification. Make a copy of your insurance card, driver’s license, license plate number, etc. and place in your car and/or in your home. In addition, write down the serial numbers of your high-end electronics (television, laptop, etc.) so that you are able to provide this information to your insurance company.

Lock your car doors – Many women are accustomed to locking the car doors once they enter their vehicle. However, they do not consider locking their car while they are at the gas station. Many women look directly at the gas pump (with their backs towards the car) as they pump gas. As a result, thieves are able to easily steal purses from the passenger seat unnoticed.

Prevent car break-ins – We all know that it is not a good idea to leave valuables in the car, but many people are still careless about the way they remove their belongings. For instance, do not place your purse in the trunk if there are people watching you. Also, if you remove the portable GPS from the car window, make sure that you remove the suction cup as well. This will prevent a perpetrator from entering your vehicle to look for the missing device.

Always remember, everyone is a suspect. As a result, it is important to be conscious of your surroundings. Never solely depend on any self-defense tool or weapon to stop an attacker. Trust your body and your instincts, which you can always depend on in the event of an attack.