No More Monsters - Tips for Personal Safety

What were your fears as a young child?  Was it the monster under your bed?  The boogieman in your closet? As a kid, I always thought that grown-ups were fearless.  They were the brave guardians over us; and as long as they were in the room, all would be well.

Since growing up, though, I’ve realized that we big kids have our own sets of fears now, too.  They may not be monsters or boogiemen; but most of us have, at some point in time, been fearful for our safety.

These fears may be particularly present for certain women who travel alone, are at home alone during the day, or are left alone for long periods of time without their spouses (such as in the military or traveling professions).  Now that said, safety for men is just as important and just as real a concern, but women are oftentimes presented with circumstances that cause them to be particularly vulnerable to an attack.

Outside the Home

• Always be alert when you are walking around.  Notice the people around you, events occurring, and take note of possible places to run or escape should a dangerous situation occur.

• Walk and park in well-lit areas near crowds.  Walk confidently, on the side of the street facing traffic, and close to the curb to avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone may be lurking.

• When walking to your car, keep keys in hand with your finger on the alarm.  If an attacker approaches, hitting your alarm may cause them to start running.  It is also wise to have someone on your cell phone with you so they can hear anything transpiring on your end.

• When entering your vehicle, only unlock your door.  There may be someone waiting to jump in on the other side as soon as you hit the button to unlock.

• Plan to wear clothes and shoes that allow you to move easily.  Those stilettos might look great; but if you were to need to get out of a situation quickly, they may greatly hinder your ability to run.

• As far as safety while traveling, keep your windows up and doors locked.  Never, ever pick up hitchhikers.  If you should have car trouble, raise your hood and stay inside your car.  Make phone calls from inside your car; and if someone stops by to help, have them make a phone call for you while you remain inside your car.  Remember, too, that many cars automatically unlock when put it park, so pay attention to this.

Inside the Home

• If someone comes to the door, it is wise to not answer unless you know him.  If they are asking to use your phone, have them wait outside, lock your door, and make the phone call for him.  If they appear to be a deliveryman or serviceman, only answer the door or let them in the house after you check for signs of uniforms, labeled trucks, and a business card.  If you are not expecting them, be extra cautious before inviting them in your home and immediately call the company they claim to be with to verify their reason for being at your home.

• Always keep all your windows and doors locked.  A home security system will also help to guard against forced entry and will alert authorities immediately should one occur.

• If you should find signs of a forced entry upon arriving home, do not enter the house.  Go to a safe place right away and call the authorities.  Do not enter your home without them.
• When someone calls, never give the impression you are home alone.  Someone simply “can’t come to the phone right now” – never say, “He is not here.”  If you are in a situation where your spouse is away for an extended period of time, never let anyone on the phone know this.  Telephone scams are rampant, and many criminals use phone calls to find out valuable information.

The most important advice to follow, though, is to trust your instincts.  Intuition is a powerful force; and even if the situation seems innocent on the surface, if your gut is telling you otherwise, leave immediately.

If you’d like more information on personal safety, please contact us at Watch Guard.  Our goal is your security and peace of mind, and we want all of our clients to sleep easily at night, not having to live in fear of their grown-up monsters!