Buzz
Sometimes, while walking home or running errands, you might get a strange feeling that something is off around you. You may sense someone following you or feel uneasy in an unfamiliar area. In these situations, what should you do? While it's always ideal to have a companion and avoid unfamiliar or potentially dangerous places – especially at night – we all know that this is not always possible. To help you avoid becoming a target of malicious individuals, we’ve compiled safety tips to prevent sudden attacks.
Steps to Follow
Put away your phone and stay alert.
Hide your valuable tech devices and avoid using your phone for entertainment. Contrary to what many believe, holding your phone in hand does not intimidate criminals – in fact, it signals that you’re distracted and vulnerable to an attack. Similarly, you should avoid wearing headphones while walking on the street, as it prevents you from hearing surrounding sounds that could alert you to danger.
Wear comfortable, casual clothing.
Choose attire that allows you to quickly flee in case of an attack. Avoid wearing expensive-looking clothes, flashy accessories, or designer bags. It's better to wear workout clothes or worn-out garments and carry a gym bag to avoid appearing like an easy target for a thief.
- If you carry a valuable purse, keep it close to your body instead of dangling it loosely, making it easier to snatch.
Constantly scan your surroundings to detect potential dangers.
Avoid walking past groups of people at night. If you spot a group of people standing on the street or someone staring at you, try to choose a different path. If there’s no alternative route to get home, cross to the other side of the street, or keep an eye on them to see if they’re approaching you. When evaluating a potentially dangerous situation, apply the OODA loop, a decision-making method developed by military strategists. The OODA loop involves observe, orient, decide, and act.
- Observe by listening carefully and watching the people around you.
- Orient by comparing what you see with what you know to be safe.
- Decide if those you see pose a threat. Do they seem angry? Are they yelling or staring at you?
- Act by running away or calling for help.
Walk with strong, confident strides.
Walk with decisive steps and swing your arms freely. Confident and strong strides will make you appear more powerful and less vulnerable. Attackers tend to target individuals who seem weak or uncertain.
- Keep your head up, maintain a straight posture, and avoid slouching to appear taller and more self-assured.
- Walk briskly to exude strength, but don't rush too much as it may attract unwanted attention.
Stay close to the curb.
Avoid walking past bushes, driveways, or narrow alleys. Stick to the sidewalk next to the street to steer clear of areas where people may hide or wait for an opportunity to attack. When turning around corners of buildings, take a wider angle to check if anyone is lurking around the other side.
- If conditions don't allow you to walk close to the curb, try to avoid alleyways, open spaces, and areas with dense vegetation.
- If you can't walk on the sidewalk, move against the flow of traffic. This way, you'll reduce the risk of being dragged into a car by a robber or kidnapper.
Act like you know exactly where you're going.
Don't ask for directions or take out a map or GPS device. Attackers or thieves often target individuals who appear lost or confused. To give the impression that you're familiar with the area and on your usual route home, avoid hesitating when crossing the street or turning a corner. When you reach crowded areas like stores, restaurants, or well-lit zones, you can ask for directions or use your phone to check your location.
- On the other hand, if you're confident about the route but suspect someone might be following you, opt for a more winding or unpredictable path. This will help you shake off the follower and confirm whether you're being watched.
Don't talk to strangers.
Keep walking. Trust your instincts if you feel suspicious about someone. If you sense danger, keep walking past the person without stopping. Stopping only gives the wrongdoer an opportunity to distract you.
- An attacker may pretend to ask for the time or directions. When you bend down to check your watch or phone, you put yourself in a vulnerable position by taking your eyes off the person.
Scream, whistle, or blow a whistle.
Make noise to alert others around you if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. If someone is following you in a public place, you can call out for help from passersby. If the attacker is in front of you, scream immediately. Taking action will make you seem like a difficult target, and the noise could prompt others to intervene.
- For example, you could tell someone, “I’m afraid this person is following me. Can you please help me?”
Leave the area and head to a crowded place if possible.
Head to a crowded area, brightly lit, and with surveillance cameras. If you believe you might be attacked, go into a store, restaurant, or bank where you can find other people. If there is a security guard at the location, you can inform them of your situation and even ask for their assistance in escorting you to your car.
Report any suspicious activity or potential danger.
Call the quick response police at 113 or your local emergency number. Inform them if you are being followed or threatened. Try to provide as much information as you can about the suspect, such as gender, race, age, hair color, eye color, and any other distinguishing features.
Warning
- Do not resist during a robbery; doing so will only escalate the situation. Your life is more important than the items you're carrying. Leave your belongings in a safe distance from the robber instead of physically confronting them.
