10 Super Important Safety Tips for Women

I’m a crime show and murder mystery aficionado, so I guess I tend to be more paranoid than most women. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in though, so when I got some useful safety tips in my email the other day, I thought they might be good to share.

Here are 10 safety and self-defense tips that could seriously save your life one day — so stop snickering, read and remember!

 
1. Don’t act or look like an easy target.

A self-defense instructor who interviewed a group of rapists in prison learned what most predators look for when scoping out a potential target:

• The #1 thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets. 

• They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard and can be easily overpowered.

Naturally, if you’re dripping with bling or wearing next to nothing, that would make you a primo pick as well, so use a little common sense. Predators (actually most criminals) look for easy targets — so don’t be one.

2. Stay away from isolated places when you’re alone.

Statistically, the number one place where women are attacked is in grocery store parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages and number three is public restrooms. Stairwells are common crime spots as well.

When you’re driving and someone tries to flag you down, pointing at your tires or whatever, don’t stop. This is a pretty common bluff. Keep driving until you get to a well-lit and well-populated area — and then check. 

3. Never leave your car unlocked.

As tempting as might be to leave the doors unlocked and the engine running for the few minutes it may take to return a video, buy milk and so forth, try to resist. Attackers have been known to lie in wait for opportunities like these.

In fact, keep your doors locked and your windows up even when you’re driving. Don’t make it easy for people to jump into your car at lonely intersections.

4. Always check your car & surroundings before getting in.

• Look around you, look into your car, at the floor on the passenger side, and in the back seat.
• If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while they’re attempting to get into their cars..
• Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and then the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

5. As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors and leave.

Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their chequebook, or making a list, etc.) DON’T DO THIS! If a predator is watching you, this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go.

6. If a robber asks for your wallet/purse, don’t hand it over. Toss it away from you.

Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. Toss it as far away as you can, and then run like mad in the opposite direction!

7. If the predator has a gun, run away in a zig -zag pattern.

I know, even I think this is a little iffy but apparently the typical gun-toter will only hit you (a running target) four out of 100 times; and even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ. So… wtf… just RUN!

8. If you’re ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the tail lights.

When you’ve done this, stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved countless lives.

9. Don’t talk to strangers.

We teach this to our kids, but seem to forget to apply it to ourselves. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic to strangers:  JUST QUIT IT.  Your kindness can get you killed.

Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who always played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked ‘for help’ into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

10. If you must fight, fight dirty. 

There are no “fouls” when it comes to personal protection. More often than not, you probably won’t be able to match your attacker’s strength — but you CAN still do enough damage or cause enough pain to allow yourself time to get away.

• A kick in the groin is always a good move. It really is extremely painful.
• The elbow is the strongest point in your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!(Aim for the nose, that really hurts)
• If you don’t carry pepper spray, it’s well worth ruining your manicure to use your nails to scratch at or poke your attacker’s eyes. Gross, I know, but the eyes are an excellent target.

If you’re smart and careful, you’ll never have to resort to physical combat, so relax.  “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”… “It’s better to be safe than sorry”… “It’s better to be paranoid than dead” and all those other corny cliches really do apply when it comes to safety.

As silly as it might make you feel, never be shy about asking someone you trust to escort you to your car or any isolated area — or even go as far as to take or follow you home. Sure, they might roll their eyes and mutter “Women!” — but who cares? We’re so worth it.