Even though it’s a new year, many of the same personal safety tips still apply. Whether you’re traveling, walking home from a friend’s residence, or simply running errands, there are several simple precautions you can take to exude confidence and lessen your chances of being a target from potential predators.
Below, we list and detail 5 of the most important personal safety tips for you to remember in the new year.
Interested in taking charge of your own personal safety? Learn more about Stiletto Agency’s Situational Awareness Specialist Training & Certification.
1. Head Up, Phone Down
When walking anywhere, especially during dark winter nights, it’s vital to free yourself of all distractions, including looking down or even talking on your phone. When you’re cognizant of your surroundings, you are far less likely to be targeted.
Keep your head on a swivel and use your situational awareness; it could save your life from potential predators or even car accidents.
2. Share Your Location
Nowadays, many smartphones include a “share your location” functionality that allows those you share it with access to your phone’s location. However, even if you don’t have a smartphone, you should always share your location with someone you trust, like a family member or close friend.
Let them know your general plan for where you’re going to be; that way, they can tell the authorities where you were supposed to be if you don’t arrive back safely.
Interested in taking charge of your own personal safety? Learn more about Stiletto Agency’s Situational Awareness Specialist Training & Certification.
3. Have Some Money on Your Person (and Some in Your Wallet)
It’s important to always keep cash on you while you’re traveling; both in your wallet and on your person. This is so you can afford to get back to your hotel or your country’s embassy in case your wallet or purse is stolen.
4. Remember: You’re ALWAYS From the Area
It’s easy when traveling alone to let your guard down and socialize with fellow travelers, your cab driver, etc. However, you should NEVER say you’re visiting alone. As a solo traveler, you’re at higher risk of being involved in a violent crime than if you were traveling with friends or in a group.
Whether it’s to your harmless-seeming taxi driver or someone at the bar, say that someone, like your significant other or friend, is expecting you.
Interested in taking charge of your own personal safety? Learn more about Stiletto Agency’s Situational Awareness Specialist Training & Certification.
5. If Someone Alerts You That Something is Wrong with Your Vehicle, Don’t Immediately Pull Over
While it could be completely innocent, this is also a main tactic that predators use to get you alone and vulnerable. Before stopping immediately, pull over to somewhere where there are other people, especially if you don’t notice anything wrong with your vehicle.
Prepare, Prevent and Protect
Remember; YOU are in control of your personal safety. Whether you’re traveling to a foreign country or walking in your own neighborhood, these are just some of the personal safety tips you can use wherever you are.
Stiletto Agency offers customized training programs for corporations, organizations, groups, and individuals to help them learn how to be vigilant about their personal safety. Contact us today to schedule your training.
