By: Veronica Rivers
How many times have you been told by a loved one to always be aware of your surroundings? Lord, I have been hearing this since I was a little girl walking to middle school. My Granny would always tell my friends and me to watch out for each other and to make sure no one follows us to school. Back then, walking to school was nothing. We always felt safe. Not a care in the world because we all had each other’s backs. However, in today’s society, technology has distracted people from noticing what is around them. You walk around with your head down, not looking at what is ahead, behind or on the side of you. The conversation on the other end of that phone seems to be more important than your safety.
In this article, I want to share with you three safety tips that every person should now. And even though you may already know all of this stuff, you need to get in the habit of doing them. My goal is to make sure that all people (especially women and children) feel safe and start becoming aware of what is around them.
- If you are walking by yourself, GET OFF YOUR DAMN PHONE. Your phone is a major distraction. A lot of people think that it is safe to be on the phone because if something happens, the person on the other end can call 911. Yeah, no, honey. That does not work. Talking on the phone can distract you from noticing simple things around you, like someone staring at you or following you. Always keep your head up and be aware of where you are and who is around you. Predators strike fast and can come out of nowhere.
- Always carry some form of protection with you at all times. Honey, I have my stun gun, pepper spray and Kubaton with me at all times. However, if you do not have any of these things on hand, I suggest investing in one or finding something that can be turned into a weapon if need be. Whatever you choose, make sure you know how to use them and keep them someplace where you can get to it fast. Having it in the bottom of your purse or leaving it in the car will do you no good.
- Keep your car doors locked and your windows up at all times. Ladies, we have a habit of just sitting in the car counting money, listening to music or balancing our checkbook and have no idea that someone is walking up behind ready to jump in the car and take it, take you or both. Most carjackings take place when vehicles are at a stoplight or an intersection. Criminals come on your blindside and either pull you out of the car or jump in the passenger seat. Take care of yourself and always remember to be aware, be prepared and be safe.
Top 5 personal safety techniques.
The number of crime rates today is astonishingly high and one ought to be more careful not to fall victim of these crimes. Crime knows no gender but most perpetrator target women. Women are perceived by the society as helpless which makes them an easy target. There is not a single day that passes by without hearing the terrifying news that a woman was beaten to or almost death, carjacked or even sexually harassed. Personal safety should never be taken for granted. Do not depend on your brother, cousin, father or husband to protect you against assaults in our environment today. Take charge of your safety with the following simple personal safety techniques;
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Use your instincts. Most of the cases of violent crimes occur due to the fact that we do not adhere to our instincts. Whether it is your mind playing tricks or not it is good to take precaution. Women should treat suspicion with high regards as they may be able to avert their misfortune of falling victim to cruel criminals preying on them.
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Stay confident. Have you ever wondered the reason as to why there are not many crimes with men as the victim? It is quite simple. Men are known to show confidence as they walk across the streets. The society has always stereotyped women as weak and too shy to face the world. It is time to prove them wrong. Exhibiting confidence by walking tall and looking people straight into the eye. This inflicts fear into the hearts of the brutal criminals since their greatest fear is to be recognized. Protect yourself by exuding self confidence.
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Do not be ignorant. Some of us shield themselves from the society due to the gruesome activities that have occurred which should be never the case. In order to protect yourself, one has to be aware of what they are up against. The first step towards personal safety is to be wary of the surroundings. Being aware of what is happening in your society helps women protect themselves better.
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Use common sense as your weapon. Why run towards danger while you can be perfectly safe away from it? Women should practice using common sense as a weapon by avoiding places inhabited by crime. Avoid going to new and unfamiliar places especially in the dark, let your friends and family know your whereabouts, lock all entries to your house and so on.
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Learn self-defense tactics. Prevention is better than cure and it is better to be safe than sorry. Today, women are being advised to take self-defense classes so as they can have the upper hand in case of an attack. Take a martial arts class or carry a weapon that can cause pain to criminals and assure your safety. These techniques can assist women to stay safe and avoid traumatizing experiences. Women should equip themselves with such knowledge in order safeguard their safety.
Veronica Rivers is a consultant with Damsel in Defense. She sells personal protection for women of all ages and stages. If you or your loved one are in need of any type of personal protection (stun guns, pepper spray, etc.), you can visit www.mydamselpro.net/PRO12788. She will be happy to help you stay safe.