Listed below are small-scale habits that you can practice on a daily basis to help yourself stay safe!
It's not about being scared, it's about being prepared & feeling in control of your space and having peace of mind.
Good Habits & Personal Vigilance:
*Be cautious with strangers -- don't open the door to strangers and be wary of people asking personal questions or acting suspiciously.
*Have emergency plans -- develop a plan for emergencies and communicate it to a trusted contact, including who to call and what to do if they don't hear from you;
*Create a Support Network: Build a strong network of trusted contacts to check in with regularly;
*Trust your instincts - If something feels off, trust your gut and take precautions to ensure your safety.
Being Outside; walking, biking, etc.
*Be Alert!
*Scan the area as you walk. Keep an eye on the people in front of you as well as behind you;
*Be aware of your surroundings and walk with confidence;
*Go with a partner - don't go alone;
*Carry a self defense weapon; in your hand at the ready;
*Trust your gut!
When you are shopping:
*Avoid shopping alone. Try to shop with a friend or relative. Carry your purse close to your body and do not leave it unattended.
*Try not to carry too many packages. Place all packages out of sight in your vehicle, preferably in the trunk.
*Park your vehicle in a well-lighted area. Even in daylight hours, you may want to park near a light pole so if you leave when it is darker, your car will be in a well-lit location.
Car Safety:
*Approach your vehicle with your keys already in your hand; have a self-defense weapon as a key ring;
*Keep your vehicle doors locked and your windows shut;
*Look around, under and in your car, especially the back seat, before you get in;
*Have pepper spray in your car - ready to go;
*Have in your car - a window breaker, seat belt cutter; an extra phone charger;
*When leaving a business late at night, (if available) ask a security guard to walk you to your car. Do NOT go up to just any security guard. Go directly to the kiosk and ask for them to assign an officer to escort you. Predators sometimes dress up to resemble security or other authority figures.
*When a business requests you to confirm your home address, whisper it to them. Broadcasting your home address among strangers in the line could compromise your safety.
Hotel Safety:
*When checking into a hotel room, if the person at the front desk says your room number out loud, ask them to give you a new room and write the number on a piece of paper.
*Or when you check-in, ask up front to not say your room number out loud. Your room number should be your business only.
*Before entering your hotel room, make sure no one is lingering in the hallway;
*Always immediately lock your hotel room door after you enter;
*If you call for room service, and you get a knock on your door, do not immediately open the door. Ask: "Who is it?" Make the person on the other side of the door tell you who they are before you open it. -- If in doubt do not open the door and call the front desk.
When your out and about:
*When asking for directions and someone offers to show you the way by having you follow them, do not go. Just ask for them to point you in the right direction. Often, predators just want to lure you to a place less crowded where your calls for help can't be heard;
*Always pour your own drink at a party & bring it with you everywhere...even to the bathroom. This will make it more difficult for someone to drug you via your drink. If you choose to partake in drinking alcohol, remember to have a designated driver you know! Watch the bartender as he/she pours your drink. To be extra safe -- drink wine instead of a cocktail - mixed drinks take longer to make. You could be easily distracted & miss the bartender (who could be working with a predator) or someone else placing something in your drink;
*Buy a drink in a bottle so you can see the bartender open it and give it straight to you with no glass;
*Buy a topper for your glass that looks like a scrunchie and keep it on your glass;
*When going out with your friends, decide beforehand you will stick together and have rules you will all follow;
*Do not let your friend go off alone with any person.
*Don't check-in on social media apps when you arrive somewhere. Instead, check in as you leave. This way no one will be able to digitally stalk you and know your every move or when you're not at home.
*Along the same lines, avoid social media posting from vacation, especially if your account is public, as it is a way of letting the world know your home is unoccupied.
Home/Apartment/Condo/Dorm Safety Tips:
*When you move into a new residence, check areas for possible hidden cameras. Your landlord, previous tenant or previous owner could be spying on you;
*Change and secure all doors & windows with high quality locks; reinforce doors with deadbolts;
*Get a whole house alarm that is monitored, if you can not do this - buy window alarms & door alarms - for EVERY window & door;
*Get a video door bell;
*Install automatic lighting;
*Improve physical security by trimming landscaping & create an illusion of occupancy;
*Secure and lock garage doors;
*Install screen doors - double safety measure;
*Keep your doors locked when you are home; keep your front doors locked if you are out in your yard in the back; and vice versa;
*Hide Spare Keys Securely: Never hide spare keys outside your home; instead, leave an extra key with a trusted friend or neighbor;
*Mind Your Mail: Prevent mail from piling up to avoid making your home look unoccupied;
*Be a good neighbor -- Get to know your neighbors, as they can help watch for suspicious activity and you can help them;
*Be cautious with strangers -- don't open the door to strangers;
*Don't overshare on social media --Avoid posting your exact location, travel plans, or details about your home's layout, as this information can be used to plan a break-in.
To protect yourself online:
*Use strong, unique passwords with two-factor authentication
*Keep all your software updated and install reputable antivirus software
*Be cautious of suspicious links and downloads
*Manage your social media privacy settings and avoid oversharing personal information online to prevent stalking and harassment;
*Physically secure your devices by covering webcams when not in use;
*Always disconnect from public Wi-Fi when handling sensitive data;
*Have one other trusted person have all your logins & passwords to get into your devices – computer, phone, table, etc. – if you were to ever go missing – this will safe valuable time for the authorities.
Take Self-Defense Training.
Unfortunately, no matter how diligently we practice awareness and avoidance techniques, we may find ourselves in a physical confrontation. If available, it is suggested to take self defense training.
Other considerations for self defense are lawful carrying and possession of self defense devices.
It's not about being scared, it's about being prepared & feeling in control of your space and having peace of mind.
Good Habits & Personal Vigilance:
*Be cautious with strangers -- don't open the door to strangers and be wary of people asking personal questions or acting suspiciously.
*Have emergency plans -- develop a plan for emergencies and communicate it to a trusted contact, including who to call and what to do if they don't hear from you;
*Create a Support Network: Build a strong network of trusted contacts to check in with regularly;
*Trust your instincts - If something feels off, trust your gut and take precautions to ensure your safety.
Being Outside; walking, biking, etc.
*Be Alert!
*Scan the area as you walk. Keep an eye on the people in front of you as well as behind you;
*Be aware of your surroundings and walk with confidence;
*Go with a partner - don't go alone;
*Carry a self defense weapon; in your hand at the ready;
*Trust your gut!
When you are shopping:
*Avoid shopping alone. Try to shop with a friend or relative. Carry your purse close to your body and do not leave it unattended.
*Try not to carry too many packages. Place all packages out of sight in your vehicle, preferably in the trunk.
*Park your vehicle in a well-lighted area. Even in daylight hours, you may want to park near a light pole so if you leave when it is darker, your car will be in a well-lit location.
Car Safety:
*Approach your vehicle with your keys already in your hand; have a self-defense weapon as a key ring;
*Keep your vehicle doors locked and your windows shut;
*Look around, under and in your car, especially the back seat, before you get in;
*Have pepper spray in your car - ready to go;
*Have in your car - a window breaker, seat belt cutter; an extra phone charger;
*When leaving a business late at night, (if available) ask a security guard to walk you to your car. Do NOT go up to just any security guard. Go directly to the kiosk and ask for them to assign an officer to escort you. Predators sometimes dress up to resemble security or other authority figures.
*When a business requests you to confirm your home address, whisper it to them. Broadcasting your home address among strangers in the line could compromise your safety.
Hotel Safety:
*When checking into a hotel room, if the person at the front desk says your room number out loud, ask them to give you a new room and write the number on a piece of paper.
*Or when you check-in, ask up front to not say your room number out loud. Your room number should be your business only.
*Before entering your hotel room, make sure no one is lingering in the hallway;
*Always immediately lock your hotel room door after you enter;
*If you call for room service, and you get a knock on your door, do not immediately open the door. Ask: "Who is it?" Make the person on the other side of the door tell you who they are before you open it. -- If in doubt do not open the door and call the front desk.
When your out and about:
*When asking for directions and someone offers to show you the way by having you follow them, do not go. Just ask for them to point you in the right direction. Often, predators just want to lure you to a place less crowded where your calls for help can't be heard;
*Always pour your own drink at a party & bring it with you everywhere...even to the bathroom. This will make it more difficult for someone to drug you via your drink. If you choose to partake in drinking alcohol, remember to have a designated driver you know! Watch the bartender as he/she pours your drink. To be extra safe -- drink wine instead of a cocktail - mixed drinks take longer to make. You could be easily distracted & miss the bartender (who could be working with a predator) or someone else placing something in your drink;
*Buy a drink in a bottle so you can see the bartender open it and give it straight to you with no glass;
*Buy a topper for your glass that looks like a scrunchie and keep it on your glass;
*When going out with your friends, decide beforehand you will stick together and have rules you will all follow;
*Do not let your friend go off alone with any person.
*Don't check-in on social media apps when you arrive somewhere. Instead, check in as you leave. This way no one will be able to digitally stalk you and know your every move or when you're not at home.
*Along the same lines, avoid social media posting from vacation, especially if your account is public, as it is a way of letting the world know your home is unoccupied.
Home/Apartment/Condo/Dorm Safety Tips:
*When you move into a new residence, check areas for possible hidden cameras. Your landlord, previous tenant or previous owner could be spying on you;
*Change and secure all doors & windows with high quality locks; reinforce doors with deadbolts;
*Get a whole house alarm that is monitored, if you can not do this - buy window alarms & door alarms - for EVERY window & door;
*Get a video door bell;
*Install automatic lighting;
*Improve physical security by trimming landscaping & create an illusion of occupancy;
*Secure and lock garage doors;
*Install screen doors - double safety measure;
*Keep your doors locked when you are home; keep your front doors locked if you are out in your yard in the back; and vice versa;
*Hide Spare Keys Securely: Never hide spare keys outside your home; instead, leave an extra key with a trusted friend or neighbor;
*Mind Your Mail: Prevent mail from piling up to avoid making your home look unoccupied;
*Be a good neighbor -- Get to know your neighbors, as they can help watch for suspicious activity and you can help them;
*Be cautious with strangers -- don't open the door to strangers;
*Don't overshare on social media --Avoid posting your exact location, travel plans, or details about your home's layout, as this information can be used to plan a break-in.
To protect yourself online:
*Use strong, unique passwords with two-factor authentication
*Keep all your software updated and install reputable antivirus software
*Be cautious of suspicious links and downloads
*Manage your social media privacy settings and avoid oversharing personal information online to prevent stalking and harassment;
*Physically secure your devices by covering webcams when not in use;
*Always disconnect from public Wi-Fi when handling sensitive data;
*Have one other trusted person have all your logins & passwords to get into your devices – computer, phone, table, etc. – if you were to ever go missing – this will safe valuable time for the authorities.
Take Self-Defense Training.
Unfortunately, no matter how diligently we practice awareness and avoidance techniques, we may find ourselves in a physical confrontation. If available, it is suggested to take self defense training.
Other considerations for self defense are lawful carrying and possession of self defense devices.