BE SAFE; TAKE CHARGE

As human beings, our safety is a prized possession that people hold close. Our safety gives us reassurance, security, control, etc. As a result, when a person’s safety is violated, they may feel vulnerable, powerless, fearful, and angry. Our sense of safety can be violated through various forms of crime, committed by a person against another person. Once a person’s safety is violated, it is hard for them to get that sense of security they once had. Within our society, there are certain people who are vulnerable to being victims of crime over others. Such people include the disabled, women, senior citizens, and children. With this in mind, let’s keep our safety in our own hands by taking precautions to enhance our security. Listed below are various safety tips that will help limit the chances of becoming a victim of crime. The tips were gathered from various resources that include; the city of Cotati, California police, Fort Myers, Florida police, and All Walks of Life Inc. Among these three resources the following tips were given by all of them as recommendations to increase safety.
1. Be aware of and avoid situations that could put you in harms way such as; dark places and abandoned areas. It is important to be aware and in tuned to your surroundings, so that predators won’t have an opportunity to take advantage of you. Specifically, being alert to what is going on around you is crucial. Try to limit the distractions that might deter your attention. Such distractions may include, but are not limited to talking on your cell phone, texting, listening to your ipod, etc.
2. Let someone know where you are going and the approximate time you expect to be back.
3. Pay attention to your body language. Send the message that you are secure and comfortable with your surroundings. Predators can pick up on a person’s fear and vulnerability.
4. Carry security apparatus such as loud alarms, pepper spray, etc. Predators do not like anything that will draw attention by others to the situation. Loud alarms will peak curiosity by people who are in the vicinity and will enhance the chances of preventing an attack.
5. Try to change up your routine and predictability. Whenever an established schedule is developed, it is easy for a predator to know your whereabouts at specific times.
6. Become engaged in a self defense class. Not only is being alert crucial, but also knowing the proper movements to take if you find yourself in a life-threatening predicament. Self-defense classes can enable a person to feel more in control of their situation and their own body. Also, karate and judo are other ways to learn how to fight off your attackers and feel more confident. Don’t worry if you are blind/visually impaired or have some other type of challenge. There are instructors who are professionally trained and knowledgeable of meeting your own individual unique needs.

These tips are supposed to serve as mere tools to enhance your feelings of confidence and control, in terms of your physical safety. Whenever I am out in public, I try to be extremely alert, because I realize that not everyone sees with their heart; such as predators. I am currently in the process of enrolling in karate classes. Enrolling in karate classes will give me a sense of feeling secure, and lessen the fear of being a vulnerable target to others. I will keep you updated on my journey through the classes. Remember to be proactive when it comes to safety by stopping predators in their tracks. Protect yourself by taking control of the situation, and not letting the situation take control of you!