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THE GLEANER’S FLAIR MAGAZINE • MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018
5 safety tips for women
The following points are five things that every woman should know about personal safety.
1. PRACTICE AWARENESS
This is your first line of defence. Most
people think of kicks to the groin and
blocking punches when they hear the term
“self-defence”. However, true self-defence
begins long before any actual physical
contact. The first, and probably most
important, component in self-defence is
awareness – of yourself, your surroundings,
and your potential attacker’s likely
strategies.
2. ESCAPE IS ALWAYS YOUR
BEST OPTION
What if the unthinkable happens? You are
suddenly confronted by a predator who
demands that you go with him – be it in a
car, or into an alley, or a building. It would
seem prudent to obey, but you must never
leave the primary crime scene with the
predator. You are far more likely to be killed
or seriously injured if you go with the
predator than if you run away (even if he
promises not to hurt you). Run away, yell
for help, throw a rock through a store or car
window – do whatever you can to attract
attention. And if the criminal is after your
purse or other material items, throw them
away while you run in the other direction.
3. PEPPER SPRAY IS NOT
YOUR SECRET WEAPON
Pepper spray, like other self-defence aids,
can be a useful tool. However, it is
important to understand that there can be
significant drawbacks to its use. For
example, did you know that it does’t work
on everyone? Surprisingly, 15-20 per cent of
people will not be incapacitated even by a
full-face spray. Also, if you’re carrying it in
your purse, you will only waste time and
alert the attacker to your intentions while
you fumble for it. Never depend on any self-
defence tool or weapon to stop an attacker.
Trust your body and your wits, which you
can always depend on in the event of an
attack.
4. AVOID A
CAR-JACKING
Lock all doors and keep windows up when
driving. Most car-sackings take place when
vehicles are stopped at intersections. The
criminals approach at a 45-degree angle (in
the blind spot), and either pull you out of
the driver’s seat or jump in the passenger’s
seat.
5. USE THE
INTERNET WISELY
Although the Internet is educational
and entertaining, it can also be full of
danger if one isn’t careful. When
communicating online, use a nickname
and always keep personal information
such as home address and phone number
confidential. Instruct family members to
do the same. Keep current on security
issues, frauds, viruses, etc., By
periodically referring to “The Police
Notebook” Internet Safety Page.