Environmental Safety Checklist provided by Christina Davidson www.fittobetoned.com
A. Public Transportation
1. (buses, subways, trains):
a. Do not fall asleep on any of the above modes of transportation; stay awake and alert at all times.
b. Keep all valuables in front of you.
c. Distribute valuables among several pockets. That way, if someone tries to rob you, you may only have to surrender valuables in one pocket.
d. Keep a distance from the path of oncoming transportation.
e. Do not let someone stand directly behind you when waiting for transportation; they could easily push you into the path of a vehicle.
f. When waiting for transportation, try to mingle within the crowd; a lone traveler is an easy target.
g. When carrying valuables, (pocketbooks, briefcase, camera case) keep them close to you (on your legs or in your hands). Do not place them down on the seat.
h. Do not flash a lot of money when paying for a fare or ticket.
i. Stay in a well-lit area. Do not wait in dark areas.
j. Never board on an empty subway car. Always try to board the central area of transportation. Most people get on and remain there (trains, subways).
k. Make the most use out of public transportation. Minimize your walking distance.
l. Do not use public transportation if you have been drinking or are ill. You will become a ready target in a danger zone.
m. When getting off public transportation, always take note of your environment and the people in it.
n. Bathrooms in public transportation terminals are very dangerous. Be aware of surroundings when using these facilities.
o. Don’t choose the window seat as you may be blocked in by a “potential assailant;” always choose an aisle seat for a quick exit.
2. Taxi’s
a. Always check the identification of the driver (usually located near the visor) and ensure that it matches the driver.
b. Be wary of cars with central locking.
c. Don’t sit behind the driver; always choose the adjacent seat.
d. Always order taxis so that the driver can be traced.
e. Avoid flagging taxis from the street.
B. Private Transportation (cars):
1. Have keys ready before heading to a car.
2. Be aware of your surroundings while walking to your car. Make sure that no one is following you.
3. As you approach your car, check underneath it.
4. Check the back seat before getting into the vehicle.
5. Keep all doors locked.
6. Keep windows rolled at least ¾ up when stopped at a traffic light.
7. If you left your car in good condition and it does not start when you come back, be suspicious immediately.
a. Do not accept unsolicited offers of assistance.
b. Do not unlock the door to admit a stranger.
8. Avoid driving your vehicle through areas you know are crime infested.
9. If you see a motorist who needs assistance, drive to a phone and send help. Do not stop.
10. Do not get out of your car in a dark, remote location, even if you have been involved in a car accident. Drive to an open service station and call the police. The accident may have been deliberate.
11. If your car breaks down, unlock the hood and raise it. Get back in the car and try to have someone call the police.
12. When valet parking, take your house keys off your key ring. Also, remove any other valuables or papers which may indicate your home address.
13. Do not display accessories such as iPods, cell phones, GPS systems, etc., where they will attract a thief’s attention.
14. If, while you are driving, you believe someone is following you –
DO NOT...
a. Pull off to the side of the road to see if the person will pass.
b. Travel down side streets.
c. Go home.
DO...
a. Pull into a well-lit gas station or store and see if the other person also pulls in or goes away.
b. Stay on well-lit, heavily traveled streets.
c. Keep windows rolled up and doors locked.
d. Slow down your pace so you are observed by other vehicles. Beep your horn if necessary.
e. Drive directly to a police station, fire station, or hospital emergency room.
f. If the follower panics and speeds past your car, be sure to get his/her license number.
15. If someone attempts to enter your car at a stoplight or stop sign, drive away, sounding your horn, even if it means running a red light. In general, turn to the right when driving away.
16. Always approach your vehicle with the keys ready.
17. Windows should be up and doors locked even when driving to avoid unwanted passengers at intersections. (Please note that this conflicts with quick entering and exit procedures in the event of an accident.)
18. Always check your car before entering.
19. Never leave your car unlocked, even for the few minutes it may take you to return a video, or buy milk, etc.
20. Never get into a car, even if someone is pointing a knife or a handgun at you from inside. Just start to run away from the car, screaming at the same time. It’s much more likely that he will drive away to find an easier target than try attacking or killing you. But if you get into the car, he has a much better opportunity to drive you to a quiet place and start to abuse you, and later, maybe kill you.
21. Never pull your car over on a quiet road, even if someone drives alongside your car pointing at your tires, etc. Always continue driving to a well-lit and crowded area before exiting your car. The problem might be a bluff and the driver wants you to stop at the side of the road to “help” you without a reason.
22. Always be alert in parking lots, especially when it’s dark. If you are afraid, don’t be too shy to ask someone to escort you to your car. Between cars and alongside cars, it’s easy for someone to hide and wait until a non-alert person comes along.
C. Street Security (walking, jogging, and bike riding):
1. Do not carry more money or valuables than you can afford to lose.
2. If approached by a robber, cooperate. Surrender your valuables. They are worth less than you are.
3. If the robber attempts to physically harm you, defend yourself.
4. Walk on the side of the street facing oncoming traffic.
5. On a busy street, carry your purse or briefcase on the side farthest from the curb.
6. Carry a shoulder strap purse so that it hangs straight down from your shoulder, suspended between your arm and your body. The strap should not cross your body.
7. Carry handbags with a short strap as you would a football, with your hand placed through the strap, clutching the bag.
8. If you are being followed on a well-traveled street, indicate to your pursuer that you are aware of him/her by: slowing down, speeding up, or reversing directions. Then go straight for help.
9. If followed on a deserted street, walk briskly to a well-lit and populated area. Do not run straight for home unless help is available there.
10. Running, screaming, and the use of a loud whistle are recommended defensive weapons. But do not keep whistles around your neck.
11. If you must carry large amounts of money, do not keep it all in one place.
12. Do not carry keys in the same place as identification that would tell a robber where to find the door the key fits into.
13. Avoid walking the streets alone after dark. Use a taxi whenever practical.
14. If you must walk alone at night, do not walk near cars parked at the curb, or close to doorways or shrubbery which could conceal a mugger.
15. If necessary, do not hesitate to walk in the street.
16. If you must walk streets at night regularly, vary your routine to minimize the possibility of someone lying in wait to assault you.
17. Do not act or look like an easy target – look CONFIDENT!
18. If shadowed by a car, run back in the direction from which you came. If you continue in the same direction, you will make it easy for the shadowing to continue.
19. Don’t use a Walkman or iPod when walking in isolated areas at any time.
20. Regularly change your routines.
21. Don’t presume that just because your area has been “safe” thus far, it will continue to be so.
D. Clothing
1. Think about your clothing – where will it be worn? Will you be going out after work? Get into the habit of leaving restrictive clothing and shoes for those occasions when you are certain that you have no reason to anticipate danger, such as large crowds, being picked up after work or going out and so forth.
2. Choose a wardrobe which maximizes freedom of movement. The best self-defense techniques will not help you if you cannot run away because of tight skirts or shoes with straps and high heels. In these situations, it will be necessary to disable your attacker to ensure that you are not followed unless you have some means of quick exit such as a motor vehicle. This places additional, unnecessary pressure on you to be successful. Further, if you focus too much attention on disabling your opponent, you may not be sufficiently aware of an additional threat to yourself.
Savvy Tips for Personal Safety
Be Strong. Be Safe. Be Savvy!
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