safetytipsforwomen

Taking Care of YOU

Personal Safety Tips for Women

By Susan Martinez, Author & Black Belt
Copyright © 2010 Susan Martinez

I get really furious whenever I think about people who harm women. Crime statistics reveal that 1 in 6 women will be a victim of sexual assault in their lifetime and 1 in 4 on their college campus! Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to grasp the significance of crime statistics until you or a loved one becomes a statistic.

The good news is that the majority of attacks on women are preventable. Yes, I said preventable. They can be stopped before they even start if women wise up and learn how to out-smart the predators in the world.

How do I know attacks are preventable? Unfortunately, by experience. I am the mother of a girl who was attacked by a stranger. When my daughter Amber was 14 years old, she was grabbed off her bicycle one block from our home, thrown into this pervert’s car, and driven to a secluded area to be raped.

But things didn’t go down as he planned because this predator hadn’t chosen a “perfect victim.” He chose a smart girl who had a smart mother who is a black belt and had taught her to fight for her life if she were ever in danger. And never be a perfect victim! Amber fought back, yelled for help, escaped, and lived to tell. I am happy to report that she is 35 years old now and the mother of my two perfect, little granddaughters.

Safety is a lifestyle for me. Is it for you? I’d like to give you a few safety tips for keeping yourself and your loved ones safer from harm.

Carry yourself with confidence. Chin up. Back straight. Look strangers in the eye. Speak in an authoritative way. Predators want weak victims. If you look strong and confident, they won’t want to mess with you.
Trust your gut feelings. If something or someone feels wrong or “off”, trust your sixth sense. Don’t go there! Don’t do it! Scram! Many women have taught themselves how to not listen to their gut feelings. This is a dangerous mindset. Fix it.
It’s okay NOT to be nice and friendly all the time. With strangers, it’s safer to be cool and aloof. Women are sympathetic and giving by nature, which can get them in a lot of dangerous situations. Teach your children to be suspicious of strangers, too.
Guard your purse. Women practically carry their lives around in their purses. And lives are ruined everyday by predator identity thieves. Keep your purse zipped or clasped shut at all times. If you set it in a shopping cart while you’re shopping, strap it down like you would a small child. Don’t ever leave your purse in the car unless it’s locked in the trunk.
Beware, the woman is carrying! When out and about, carry something in your hand that could be used as a weapon, if needed, like keys, umbrella, cane, purse, or pepper spray. [I don’t recommend carrying a gun.]
Don’t leave home without a cell phone or some device to call 911 in an emergency. If you feel threatened in any way, it’s an emergency. Call 911! Don’t wait until things get really bad to call 911. Teach your children how to dial 911 ASAP.
Healthy paranoia is a good thing. Be aware of your surroundings. When I am outside my home or office, I am alert and looking around for possible danger all the time. Don’t daydream or space out unless you’re safe and sound at home.
Danger tends to lurk in the shadows. Stick to well-lit areas.
It’s safer to use an elevator than stairs. Empty stairwells are well-known hiding spots for sexual predators. Get your exercise another way.
Only go out in pairs, if at all possible. Public restrooms, jogging paths, parking lots, alleys, bad neighborhoods, plus laundry mats, public transportation, convenience stores, and pumping gas at night are especially hazardous areas to be alone. Don’t hitchhike ever.
Home invasions are on the rise. Always keep your house doors and windows locked. Invest in a loud security alarm system and motion-sensitive lighting. If you live alone, get a big dog.
Avoid a carjacking. Keep your car doors locked when you’re in and out of the vehicle. Don’t open the windows or doors unless you’re absolutely certain you can trust the person on the other side of the door. If you feel threatened while in your vehicle, lay on the horn and get out of there.
When you’re out at a social event, bar, restaurant, private party, remember please: Alcohol consumption will lower your natural defenses and make you an easier victim. Don’t drink unless you have a sober person to be your companion for the night and, of course, to drive you home. Keep an eye on your drinks – Roofies happen!
Run, Lady, Run! If physically possible, practice running, even if it’s just for a short distance. Some women never run and aren’t sure they could if they had to. Knowing you could run away is a valuable self-defense tool. Even if a predator has a gun pointed at you, run for your life!
Take a self-defense course or learn a martial art. Knowing how to block, evade, kick, and punch are available skills if you or a loved one is being threatened.
If an attack is in progress, yell “Fire!” or “Help!”, scream and swear like a crab fishermen, run as fast as you can, and fight for your life.
If an attack (verbal or physical) does occur, notice details, get the hell out of there somehow, report the attack, press charges, and seek justice through the legal system.
Teach your daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, friends, co-workers, and every other woman you know what you learn about safety and self-protection.
The World Wide Web can be a worldwide spider’s web. Please, please be aware of the danger of entering into online relationships. Don’t give out too much personal information, like your real name, home or work address, or phone numbers. If you decide to meet face to face with this person, take a companion along.
Help others if you witness an attack in progress. Call 911. Get involved. Make some loud noise and cause a commotion.

Be safe out there!

Good article on College Campus Crime Prevention
http://www.usa-people-search.com/content-college-campus-crime-statistics.aspx

About the Author

Susan Martinez is the author of 7 books, a second degree black belt in American Taekwondo, a certified hypnotherapist, and a freelance press agent. She resides with her husband in a Minneapolis suburb.

Official author web site: www.susanmartinez1.com
Contact: blackbelt@tjsusan.com

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OUTSMARTING THE BAD GUYS:
A Personal Safety Guide for Women
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