Welcome to On the Beat! A weekly feature that tips on keeping you and your family safe in this fast changing world.
Today's Topic: A 2-Part segment on Safety for Women
Part 1
There is not a woman alive that has asked to be a victim, so tell me this - why do you act like you want to be one when you really don't? It's time to wake up and start paying attention. 1) Be AWARE - You MUST know where you are & what's going on around you at ALL times – get off your cell phone, stop writing your texts and pay attention. If you have to stop and make a phone call, move someplace public where people are. Or better yet, send your calls to voice mail and get them later.
2) Body Language – Always Keep your head up, swing your arms, stand straight with your shoulders back. If a stranger is watching you – don’t turn away – LOOK AT THEM – right in the eye – let them know you see them – Better yet - don't just look them in the eye - look them in the eye and then purposely look at their clothes. If you act strong, they will turn away and look for someone who isn’t. No bad guy is going to look you in the eye, know you have seen them and then come after you.
3) Being Alone - DON'T walk alone in an alley, parking lot, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night. If you do have to walk alone, get your cell phone ready. Keep your finger over the emergency dial button with your non dominant hand, then put your keys in your other hand. Your car key should be between your thumb and pointer finger. The rest of the keys should placed so they stick out between your fingers. If someone comes at you, punch them. They will get stabbed with the keys. Make sure you run after you do it!
4) Leave Immediately: You just got done shopping, you climb inside your car. Pull out some things from your purse, maybe fix your lipstick, make a phone call. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Making yourself a target is what you are doing. Once inside your car don’t sit there! Start your car, lock your doors and LEAVE. Predators are watching you and while you sit there, you are giving them a chance to come to you, put a gun to your head and take you away.
5) Park in lighted areas: Always park your car under a light if you can. When you walk out to your car, always to look around you. If there is a large van parked next to your driver’s side, enter your car through the passenger car and leave immediately. Before you get in your car, LOOK INSIDE IT! For those people with heavy tint on the back windows, open your car door so the light comes on then step back and look inside.
Better yet - don't walk alone. You just leave the bar and you and your friend are parked in different places. Both of you walk to the closest car and then drive your friend to her car.
6) Take the elevator NOT the stairs. Yes – as women we are always looking for a way to stay in shape, but being alone and in a stairwell is not a good idea. Stairwells are dangerous places. Take the elevator - When the door opens, if you see someone who makes you uncomfortable inside, DON’T GET ON! Pretend to forget something and walk away quickly. If you are inside and someone gets on you don’t feel comfortable with – GET OFF! Stand in the center or front of the elevator like you own the place, don't stand in the corner. Again – look strong and chances are you won’t be a target.
7) If a Gun is pointed at you and you are not being held – RUN! Police only make 4 of 10 shots when they are in range of 3-9 feet. This is due to stress. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!
8) Stop being nice! Woman always want to be nice, not offend someone or hurt their feelings, even with strangers. STOP! I’m not saying, don’t stop to help the old woman who dropped her purse and can’t bend over, I’m saying watch where you are and if something doesn’t makes sense, be AWARE! Also, remember that good looking men can be predators too – they don’t all look like whack jobs.
Join me Next Saturday for the second part in Safety for Women!
Please make sure to share this with your family and friends! Practice what to do if and when so you don't become a victim!
Until next week, Buckle Up! Don't Drink and Drive and Always, Be Safe!
