Top
10 Street Safety Tips
You
don’t have to be a martial arts master to take care
of yourself in the street. Of course it helps, but even
if you've never done martial arts you can take steps to
ensure your safety here are our Top Ten Tips to build
safety into your daily routine.
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1.
Look Confident
Shy, nervous people look like easy targets to prospective
attackers. Make your body language assertive and positive:
pull your shoulders back and stride out as you walk. We
have a saying which goes ‘fake it till you make
it’. That means pretend you’re confident even
if you are frightened. Confident kids at school are rarely
bullied, but they may not be as tough as a kid who looks
weak and frail. But potential attackers will choose their
victims based on how easy a target they look. So look
strong. If you are confronted with someone verbally assaulting
you or threatening physical attack it’s important
to know how to handle it. If you feel at risk then don’t
step back away from them because that is passive behaviour
that shows them you are frightened. Instead, step forward
assertively and put your point across. Show them you are
not to be trifled with and that you are not afraid even
though you may be quaking inside. Act like a school teacher
who has just found some kids breaking the rules; stern,
authoritative and assertive. If you act strong you will
keep yourself safe.
2.
Stay Alert
You can be attacked at any time, it will almost always
be a surprise to you and if you are daydreaming or not
paying attention to your circumstances you can make yourself
an easy target. Remember if you are attacked the chances
are you have been observed for some time before the attack.
It could be minutes or hours and you will always be surprised
because that is the job of the attacker: to catch you
at your most unawares. We had one of our members recently
who was attacked in ‘Toys R Us’ of all places,
a children’s toy shop, thankfully she knew what
to do, but this is an example that attacks happen anywhere.
3.
Do Not Take Short Cuts
Avoid dark streets, parks, woods and any where that your
common sense tells you could be dangerous. It’s
worth taking the long way home if it keeps you safe. Stay
in open well populated areas in the lightest part of an
area. I would even advise that if you are walking down
a quiet street that you could walk on the road, as long
as you have time to get out of the way if a car comes
along. By walking as far away from the dark edges of a
street as possible you make any potential attacker travel
a greater distance to get to you and therefore gives you
more time to react and protect yourself.
4. Walk With Friends If Possible
Staying in a group of people that you know and trust is
the best way to get home safely. You are much safer in
a group than you are alone, so even if it takes you out
of your way a little stay with the crowd.
5. Plan your route in advance
If you are travelling alone to a friends or somewhere
similar let someone know what route you will be taking
and what time you expect to arrive. Phone them before
you set off and if you are delayed phone them to let them
know, this way if you are later than expected they will
be more alert to take action. If you give a vague time
their potential response time to come to your aid may
be much delayed.
6.
Keep Valuables Out of Sight
Do not display valuables such as jewellery, cash or mobile
phones and try to disguise laptops if you carry yours
around with you. Displaying your valuables is an invitation
for a thief to rob you and be assured they have a plan
in mind and an escape route too. Thieves stick to areas
they know well so they can snatch your cash and be out
of site within moments. If you have to carry something
valuable keep it well hidden and make it less accessible.
7.
Carry Your Bag Away From the Road
If the road is on your right hand side carry your bag
or case on your left. Sometimes thieves will drive up
beside you on motorcycles with an accomplice on the back
who will snatch your bag as they drive past. If your bag
is snatched then let it go. Obviously this is a judgement
call but you could easily be dragged into oncoming traffic
if you try to keep hold of it. Your personal safety is
more important than your cash so do the wise thing and
let the bag go.
8.
Carry a Personal Attack Alarm
These alarms cost only a few pounds and use it if you
are confronted. This means you should carry it in your
hand if you are walking in a quiet or secluded area. If
the alarm has a wrist loop then make sure it is securely
fastened to your wrist in case the device is knocked from
your hand. You could also carry a rolled up newspaper,
umbrella or even a ball point pen in your hand as you
walk. Just the act of gripping something gives you extra
confidence and if it is a set of keys or a pen it can
be also used as a weapon. Now I know some of you will
be afraid of hurting someone or the consequences that
come with it, but if it’s the choice between being
prosecuted for hurting an attacker and actually being
hurt by an attacker then I know which I would choose.
It’s your call, but being assaulted, injured or
even worse leaves more scars than just cuts and bruises.
The emotional hurt can last for years and just the act
of fighting back can change the dynamic and remove that
feeling of helplessness that often comes with being attacked.
9.
Beware of newly found friends
When you are out on the town and maybe having a drink
or two it’s easy to let your guard down. Alcohol
reduces your inhibitions anyway and makes it easy to forget
that you may be outing yourself in danger. If you meet
a new friend by all means exchange numbers, but be very
careful about separating from your own friends and going
off alone. Not everyone can be trusted and some people
will be actively targeting you for robbery or worse. Stay
with people you know. Don’t go off with strangers
and never go alone into their car or home when you are
alone. It’s really common sense.
10.
Look After Your Drink
Some people steal drinks in nightclubs and though that’s
annoying, its not dangerous. But some people will target
you and ‘doctor’ your drink with drugs and
other chemicals to get you into a position where they
can take advantage of you. Keep your drink with you; don’t
put it down where you can’t see it and if you have
to leave it to go to the loo or something then hand it
to a friend to look after until you get back.
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