Here are some safety tips for sisters:
1. Always be aware of your surroundings
This applies whether you are traveling alone or in groups. Don’t just focus
inwardly on your thoughts if you are alone or your friends if you are together.
Keep one eye out for your environment, looking out for suspicious characters,
possible danger, etc.
Also, don’t assume that because your area has been "safe" thus far,
that it will continue to be so.
2. Travel in groups
"There is safety in numbers" is not just a cliché. It’s true. Make a
point of traveling together with other sisters, whether it’s on public
transportation, on campus, in cars, etc.
3. Change the route you normally travel by
If you’ve taken the same bus, train or highway to get to work or school, change
your route. Even if it takes you a little longer, your safety is more
important. By changing your route, you can avert possible attacks or harassment
from those who know your schedule, method and route of travel well. Please note
though that you should avoid short cuts that take you through unfamiliar or
unsafe areas.
4. Look confident
Walk with a straight posture and your arms swinging by your sides. Avoid
slouching or walking like a victim. This makes you an easy target for
attackers.
5. When riding by public transportation choose the right seat
If you are riding by bus or train, do not sit on the window seat as you may be
"blocked in" by a potential assailant. Always select the seat next to
the aisle so that you can quickly leave if necessary.
If you are taking public transportation alone after peak hours, sit as close to
the driver as possible and/or choose the section of the bus/train that is most
crowded. Try to get a seat near the exit as well.
6. If you are driving alone
Don’t think that if you are in a car, your safe. Windows should be up and doors
locked even when driving to avoid unwanted passengers at intersections. When you
are walking to your car, always have your keys ready, so that you can quickly
get into your car.
But don’t just get in right away. Always check your car before entering,
especially the back, for any intruders.
7. Never leave your car door unlocked
Even if it means for one minute to drop something off in the mailbox that a few
feet away. Attackers have been known to lie in wait for such an opportunity.
8. Be careful in parking lots
Always be alert in parking lots, especially when it's dark. Ask someone to
escort you to your car. Between cars and inside cars, it's easy for someone to
hide and wait until an unalert person comes along.
9. If you are traveling by taxi
Always check the identification of the driver (usually located near the visor)
and ensure that it matches the driver. Once inside, don't sit behind the driver
as it may be easy for the driver to lock the rear passenger door. Always choose
the adjacent seat .
In addition, avoid flagging taxis. Always order taxis so the driver can be
traced if something happens.
10. Don’t use the walkman
If your used to listening to your walkman while outside, drop this habit,
especially in isolated areas. With your walkman on, you cannot hear the
approach of a possible attacker.
11. Note "safe houses" along your route
Mentally note houses at intervals on each route you take that can be used as
"safe houses" if you are attacked, such as shops or houses that you
know to be occupied by a friend or acquaintance.
12. When you make a call from a phone booth
After dialing the number you wish to call always turn around so that you have
your back to the phone and may see who or what is coming your way. You will
then be able to tell the person to whom you are speaking that you may be in
trouble and you may be able to use the weight of the phone as a weapon. The
door of a telephone box could be used to wedge in the limbs of the attacker.
13. Do not open the door of your home without checking
DO NOT open the door to your home without first checking from a window, peephole
or by asking and verifying who it is. Instruct children to do the same.
14. Report any suspicious activity around your home
If you see people loitering on the streets near your house, call the police on
a non emergency number and report it.
15. Invest in a cell phone
This is an invaluable safety device. Keep it with you at all times and keep
emergency numbers on it. Also, keep it next to your bed before you go to bed at
night. Cell phones were first popularized by women as a security device, business
people came later.
16. Parking tips
Avoid parking in areas that are not well lit. Where possible, park close to a
school or work entrance or in a parking garage that has an attendant.
If you see a suspicious person approaching or hanging around near your parked
car, turn around and go back to an area where there are other people. Try to
get an escort to your car through the campus or job security or local police.
17. Tell others about your whereabouts
Parents, spouses and friends should know where you are going and when you will
be back, so that your absence will be noticed. Arrange a call in system with a
friend if you live alone, whereby you call when you arrive home.
18. Trust your instincts
If you are walking somewhere and feel strange or scared, don’t ignore this
feeling. Take extra precautions by walking a little faster to get to a more
populated or well-lit area or change the route you’ve been driving on.
19. If you think you are being followed, change your route and activity.
You can cross the street, change directions, or enter a populated building or
store. Do whatever is necessary to avoid being alone with the person who is
following you. Inform a police officer or security official about the
follower.
20. Attract attention if you are in a dangerous situation.
Get others to pay attention to what's happening to you if you are under attack
or being harassed. You can alert others by honking a car horn or loudly
describing what is happening.
21. NEVER admit that you are alone
if someone calls your home and asks if you are alone, NEVER admit it. Ask who
the caller is. If they refuse to identify themselves, calmly hang-up. Keep the
radio on in the house so that callers will get the impression that others are
in the home too. Instruct children to do the same when they pick up the phone.
22. Obscene phone calls
If you receive an obscene call or a crank call, do not talk to the caller. Hang
up if the caller doesn’t say anything, or as soon as s/he shouts obscenities.
Hang up the phone calmly and do not slam it down. Note down the date and time
of the calls. If they are persistent, inform local police.
23. If you are a student
Avoid studying in isolated classrooms in parts of the college campus that are
not regularly patrolled by the schools security officers.
24. In large buildings take the elevator, not the stairwell
Stairwells are usually quiet and dark. Most people take the elevator. But if
someone creepy gets on, don’t hesitate to get off at the same time. Or, if
someone is already on the elevator who you feel strange about, do not get on
and wait for the next elevator.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
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