With so many dangers facing women today, I feel a woman should not be out and about alone. Way back when, a woman didn’t go anywhere alone. Usually she was with a male family member or a female friend. It reminds me of the old saying, “there is safety in numbers”.
Though I believe this, it is a fact that in today’s world is hard to pull this off. People are so busy with work, family, or side hustles that it can be hard to meet up with friends. So there are times when a woman will have to be by herself. If you find yourself in that situation, here are six street smart tips to use when out alone.
1. Tell someone where you are going
Anytime you go somewhere, let someone know where you will be. As morbid as this may sound, it will give rescuers a place to begin their search if you go missing or get hurt.
2. Be aware of everything around you
Look around. What do you see? Do you see a group of folks standing around and looking at you? Do you see the same ordinary-looking guy or girl following you? If so, head to a crowded place. Once you’re there, go to security or call the local police for help. In a crowd, you might be able to blend in and lose your follower.
3. Trust your intuition
If your gut is telling you to leave or run, do it!
4. Be prepared
It’s always good a good idea to have some type of weapon with you. Pepper spray, a Tiger Claw, or even a bar of soap in a sock!
Since I’m not out a lot, I have become a little lax in the area of personal security. Stupid I know. Still I have been looking into carrying pepper spray again. I carried a small can of it when I was in college. Thankfully, I never had to use it, but I would have.
If I have to choose between my life or death, I’m choosing my life!
5. Dress down
When I go out alone at night, I dress like a guy. I wear loose jeans, a hoodie, and my hair pulled back into a low ponytail. Also I put my money and phone in my pockets, and leave my purse at home.
The whole time I’m in the store, I walk with my shoulders back and a resting b***h look on my face. Why? To scare folks off!
Plus, I’ve always heard and read that attackers are less likely to hassle someone if they look like they could give them a fight.
6. Know where you are going
I can tell you, there is nothing scarier than losing a GPS signal and having to pull over to a gas station to ask for directions. Doing it after dark, like I did, is even scarier! I’m so glad nothing happened.
Learn from my stupidity. Get directions ahead of time, or even better use a GPS service. There are numerous GPS apps that can help.
Bonus Tips
Here are some awesome safety tips from an article from the blog, Adventure Mom. She gave the tips she used to survived in a big, not-so-safe city when she was in college. The article is a good read. Check it out!
Some of her tips I had learned when I was younger, and they have became like second nature to me (except for the second one but it is good advice). They are:
* Make sure that you have your keys ready before you approach your vehicle. Look in the backseat of your vehicle before opening the car door.
* If you see someone waiting in the vehicle next to yours and they make you feel uncomfortable, you can ask a security officer to escort you to your vehicle.
* Lock your vehicle immediately once you are inside. Always drive with your car doors locked.
The takeaway
If you’re going out, please be aware and take a buddy. Even though you have someone else with you don’t drop your guard. Trust your intuition!
However, if you have to go out alone, let someone know where you’re going, leave the purse at home, and carry a weapon.
Your safety is important. Be street-smart about it, especially when alone.
Just saying!
If you have any tips or comments you’d like to add, please put them down in the comment section below. They help someone else, and are greatly appreciated.
