THINK SAFE
Much is written about safety and avoiding potentially dangerous situations. The bulk has been written with women in mind, however most pieces of advice given to women are just as valid for children and males.
Here are a list of tips for people on the move.
One of the best pieces of advice is to plan ahead and give consideration to where you are going, how you are getting there, when and how are you returning. Re-plan and change any previous ideas if circumstances dictate. Never assume that “….it wont happen to me”. Despite very low incidents of occurence it can still happen.
On Foot
When you are on foot you are far more vulnerable than when travelling in a car. And the chances of being approached by a stranger increase further if you stand still for a while. Use the following advice.
- Where possible let someone know when you are leaving a particular place and the time you are expected to arrive at your destination. Tell them your route or how you are getting there. Plan your route to avoid poorly lit subways, car parks and alleyways.
- When walking keep to busy well lit areas of road. Walk in the middle of the pavement away from door recesses.
- If you think you are being followed then cross over the road and look to see if the follower has done the same. Keep walking and head for a busy area. Head for a shop, pub, or well lit house to ask for help.
- Where possible walk facing oncoming traffic to avoid kerb crawlers and someone stopping a car behind you.
- If someone stops a car beside you and rolls down a window to ask for information, take a step back from the car before looking in.
- If you are suspicious about the driver then walk away from the car in the opposite direction form the way the car is facing.
- If you are suspicious about a driver, where possible note the vehicle registration number and report it to the Police
- Do not accept lifts from someone you have just met.
- If possible travel or walk as a group. Do not let one person head off on their own. Stick together. “All out – all in”
- When returning home have your keys ready in your hand or pocket before you get to the front door. Standing at the front door for ages looking for your keys in a handbag puts you in a vulnerable situation.
By car
A car may offer you some protection but there is always some risk, especially if you travel alone or late at night.
- Plan your journey. Try to stick to main roads and plan so that you have sufficient fuel.
- If you have to stop for fuel pick a well lit garage forecourt, and one where others are also filling their tanks. Get out of the car only in well lit areas.
- Make sure your car is in good working order for the journey.
- If possible carry a mobile phone, sufficient change or a phone card to make unexpected calls.
- Call ahead. Let people at your destination know your route and approximate time of arrival.
- Do not feel obliged to pick up hitch-hikers.
- Keep your handbag out of sight. A handbag on a front seat is temptation to some while you are stopped at lights, junction or even while unattended on a garage forecourt.
- When parking your car pick well lit areas, and have a good look around before getting out of the vehicle. Choose a space close to the exit, and reverse your car into the space.
- When you return to your car have your keys ready. Check inside the car, on the rear seat, before getting in. Carry a small personal torch for use at night if possible.
- If you do break down wait for the police or breakdown service. Do not accept lifts from strangers.
- If you think you are being followed then keep driving to a place that is busy. Contact the police and give them as much information as possible.
Public or arranged transport
If you do not have a car but need to travel a considerable distance you may have to rely on public or arranged transport. If you do, remember:
- Where possible arrange lifts and taxis with friends, or share vehicles on a regular basis. You are safer as a group.
- If you have arranged a lift ask the driver to wait within view until they can see that you are safely home before driving away.
- If you feel more comfortable, ask the taxi operator if they can supply a female driver.
- Only enter licensed and registered taxis. Because someone states they are a taxi or are on a taxi rank do not assume this to be the case.
- Always sit in the back of a taxi.
- If you are chatting to the taxi driver do not give away any personal details.
- When you leave the taxi, have your house keys ready. Leave the cab, pay the driver and enter your home quickly.
- If a driver makes you feel uneasy, ask them firmly to stop and let you out, preferably at a busy public place. If they refuse then raise the alarm by waving and shouting out of the window.
- On public transport sit near to the guard, coductor, or ticket collector. Avoid sitting alone or in unoccupied areas. Sit where there are other people.
- If someone is annoying or harassing you tell the driver or conductor.
- If you consider an area unsafe due to lighting, or other factors contact management and tell them. They may not have realised there is a problem until someone raises it.
- Reduce temptation and carry your bags safely. Read the following section on Handbags.
- Use well lit bus stops
- Know where you are going and how to return using the bus. Knowing the last bus time is especially important. If possible confirm tlast return bus with the outward bound driver. The timetable may have changed.
- If the bus is empty stay on the lower deck and sit near the driver or conductor.
- If travelling to an unfamiliar area, try to arrange to have someone meet you at the bus stop or train station. Otherwise try to walk near other people with whom you feel safe.
- Carry some money and the number of a reliable taxi company in case you get stranded.
- Try to avoid empty train carriages and carriages with poor lighting.
How do you carry your handbag ?
Consider how you may look to a potential criminal. Do they look at you and see opportunities that you do not. Consider the following pieces of advice.
- Does your handbag present opportunities to the purse snatcher. Carry your handbag with the flap on the inside.
- If standing still for a while shift your handbag to the front of you where it is harder to get at, or carry it under your arm. It is also harder to pull you to the ground.
- Has someone watched you leave a bank or Post office, and while at the door saw you place money into you handbag or jacket pocket. Put money in your bag or on your person away from public eyes.
- Do not carry Cheque book and card in the same bag. Neither should you carry your house keys AND items that give away your address. Keys should be carried separately.
- In public places keep your handbag on your lap. If you have to put it on the floor, secure the strap.
| BE PREPARED TO GIVE UP YOUR HANDBAG RATHER THAN RISK INJURY |
Personal Attack Alarms.
If it makes you feel safer carrying a personal attack alarm then get one. Remember how to use it though. They are of no use in the bottom of a handbag when someone runs up and grabs the handbag from your shoulder, or you are struggling to find it when something happens.
Alarms should be carried in your hand, or in a pocket that is easy to get into. Some personal attack alarms come with a lanyard that`s long enough to go around your neck so that the alarm can be tucked inside your coat.
Do not play with it and give false calls for alarm. Remember the boy who cried wolf! If they keep going off people will start ignoring them.
Playing with them drains the battery or, in some makes of alarm, empties the compressed gas cylinder. Keep it in good order so that it will work when you need it.
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