It seems that every day in the newspapers there is the news of a person being attacked, robbed or even killed. This can scare you and lead you to avoid interacting with strangers or go alone to places you don't know. However, if you take the right security measures in everyday life, protecting your home, changing your behavior when you are out and avoiding online risks, you can minimize the dangers.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Being Safe at Home
Step 1. Don't let strangers in
The most important rule for avoiding danger is not to let strangers into your personal space. Although harmless people are the vast majority, the only way to determine for sure is to wait some time. You should avoid letting people you don't know into your home or car. Having this type of control allows you to ensure your safety.
Before opening the door, check who is by looking out the window or through the peephole
Step 2. Close doors and windows
Another way to stay safe is to protect your home. Make sure all doors and windows are locked at all times, even when you are at home and if you live in a safe neighborhood. You can't hope to keep the dangers out of the house if you leave the door open for strangers.
- Get into the habit of closing doors every time you enter or leave the house.
- Before going to sleep at night, make sure all doors are locked.
Step 3. Consider purchasing an alarm system
One way to make sure your home is protected when you are sleeping or out is to invest in a burglar alarm. If an intruder were to enter with the system running, a loud audible warning would sound and the police would be notified. This ensures that dangers cannot enter your home without your knowledge.
- Choose an alarm code that is difficult to guess.
- Also consider installing motion sensor lights. If someone walks in your garden, the light comes on and will alert you to their presence.
Step 4. Ask for the neighbor's number
Your neighbors can be very important in case of problems. Get to know them, so they keep an eye on your home when you are not around or when you sleep. Also, if you have a problem, you could call them to warn them so they can protect their home from harm as well.
Step 5. Develop an escape plan
In the event that an attacker breaks into your home or in the event of a fire, you should have a plan ready that allows you and your family to get out safely. For example, you could order everyone to go to your room and then go out the window. Talk to your family about it so everyone knows what they need to do.
Step 6. Consider getting a dog
Dogs are excellent guardians against danger. Often, even before someone rings at the door, they already sense its presence. They can alert you, so that you are ready for a visit from a stranger or a potential intruder. Furthermore, if an attacker were to sneak into your home in your absence, many dogs would attack him, thus ruining his attempt to attack or theft.
If that's not enough, dogs are caring, loving, and very loyal
Part 2 of 4: Avoiding Dangers Away From Home
Step 1. Be confident
A potential attacker prefers to attack anyone looking down and looks unsure. They are less likely to attack you if you maintain good posture and look straight ahead. Keep your phone in your hand and ready to call if necessary, but don't look at it as you walk. Proceed with conviction and pay close attention to your surroundings.
Always know the way before you leave. If you plan your route before leaving the house, you will be safe when walking and you will not risk getting lost or having to ask a stranger for information
Step 2. Know the environment around you
If when you get home you see a car or person you've never seen nearby before, take precautions and stay alert. In many cases, it is nothing dangerous, but in others it can be a potential threat. Call a neighbor who can make sure you get home safely.
Step 3. At night, be accompanied by people you trust
If possible, avoid walking alone at night. The more people accompany you, the safer you will be. Walking with strangers can also be dangerous, so ask for help from friends you trust.
If your friends want to stay out longer, ask if they'll drive you to the car, then take them back to the club
Step 4. Keep the keys in hand
When you approach the car, don't risk wasting time looking for the keys, especially at night or when you are alone. Before leaving the place where you are, you already take the keys in hand.
You can also use the keys as a weapon, by passing them between your fingers closed into fists
Step 5. Charge your mobile before leaving
Finding yourself outside with a dead battery can be dangerous. In fact, you would not be able to call a friend or emergency response in case of need. Charge your phone at least an hour before you leave, then make sure all your contacts are up to date, in case you need to call a friend urgently.
- Consider setting up speed dials for some numbers so you can contact those people faster.
- Consider buying a portable charger and taking it with you when you are out and about.
Step 6. Walk facing the traffic
It is easy for a potential attacker to approach you without being seen if you follow traffic. If, on the other hand, you are facing the other way, you will see the cars slowing down.
Step 7. Hang out with responsible and risk-free friends
Even if you love your friends and enjoy yourself when you are with them, you probably know that some of them often get you into trouble. Spend less time with people like that and hang out more often with someone who is trustworthy. Try to become a trustworthy person who protects friends too.
Avoid hanging out with friends who are regularly arrested or who drink too much
Step 8. Don't drink too much and don't accept drinks you haven't seen made
While it is normal and healthy to have a couple of drinks when out with friends, you should avoid overdoing it. Know your limit and try not to take more than one or two alcoholic drinks per hour, depending on your size. Also, if someone wants to offer you a drink, be sure to check while it's being prepared, so you can be sure no drugs are added.
- The safest solution is to buy your drinks yourself. Make sure you always keep them with you and don't leave them unattended.
- Also avoid drugs. They can alter your judgment and make you do things you wouldn't normally do.
- At parties, if you don't know all the guests and trust them, avoid drinks served in large glass bowls. Again, drugs may have been added.
Step 9. Avoid taking shortcuts in dark alleys, especially at night
If something should happen to you or if you are attacked, there is less chance that someone will hear you and can help you. It would be better to take the long way than to risk getting hurt.
- If you have an iPhone, you can share your location with the iMessage app while you're texting a friend, so they know you've arrived home safe and sound.
- If you don't have an iPhone you can use similar applications, such as Glympse and Life360 Family Locator.
Part 3 of 4: Defending Against a Potential Attack
Step 1. Don't take steps from strangers
Before you go out, make sure you know how to get home. Even if someone you don't know seems friendly and kind to you, appearances can be deceiving. You shouldn't give up on making new friends, but you should also be careful before finding yourself in potentially dangerous situations with strangers - for example, getting into a car with them alone.
Never drive with a drunkard
Step 2. Make as much noise as possible if you are attacked
Don't be afraid to draw attention to yourself; you could save yourself from danger. Also, if the attacker tries to take you somewhere else, refuse. If he forces you to get in the car with him and takes you away from a public place, the risks for you increase a lot. Make as much noise as possible, fight and call the police if you can. Do whatever you can to escape.
Step 3. Don't be afraid to fight back
This advice is especially true if the attacker is unarmed. Aim for the temple and groin. It is not necessary to use elegant moves, remember that self defense is not pretty to look at. Use all practical and effective tactics to stay safe.
One of the most effective ways to counterattack is to use a blow with the bottom of the palm of the hand. This is the very hard bone between the palm and wrist. You can find it by pressing your palm firmly on a flat surface - the area that turns white is what you are looking for. Perform the strike by keeping your fingers back and bringing your hand forward
Step 4. Trust your instincts
Our psyche has a tendency to warn us of dangers, even those we don't see. If you don't feel comfortable in a situation or place, move away or find friends right away. Better to be too cautious and worry about nothing than to risk a danger you could have avoided.
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Risky Behaviors on the Internet
Step 1. Install a security program on your computer
Hackers can try to access your personal files on your computer without your knowledge. However, you can prevent bad guys from getting to your information by installing security software. Some examples include Norton and McAfee.
Step 2. Do not post personal information
Even if you feel the desire to share many aspects of your personal life on social media, don't post too personal information, such as your address or phone number. Think twice before spreading that kind of information.
Step 3. Don't reveal your password
Your access keys allow you to access your most valuable information, including your bank account and email. Never share them with anyone, especially those you met on the internet.
Make sure you choose passwords that are strong and that only you can know
Step 4. Think Before You Post Anything
In addition to your address and passwords, you should also use caution when disclosing other elements. Pictures, statuses, and location updates give strangers a lot of information about you, which can potentially be dangerous. Before publishing a post, ask yourself: "Wish everyone knew?".
Do not post images that are too provocative, as they can attract the attention of potential predators
Step 5. Think carefully before meeting someone you met online
Remember that behind a screen anyone can pretend to be whoever they want. Even if you've seen a photo of a person, you have no way of knowing it's who they really look like unless you've used FaceTime or Skype. Furthermore, any information that is revealed to you may be completely false. Keep this in mind and proceed with caution.
- If you decide to meet the person, do it in a public place, during the day and make sure you are not followed home.
- Consider meeting her with your group of friends.
- If you are under 18, ask your parents if you can meet someone you met online.
Advice
- If you've noticed suspicious activity near you, look for shadows that may reveal someone hiding around the corner waiting to surprise you. If you see someone close to you, but you are still at a safe distance, stop and listen. If you are already too close, don't turn around and take slow steps backwards; if it's an assailant, turn around and run.
- If a situation makes you uncomfortable, walk away. For example, if you don't trust a particular person, don't stick with them! Trust your instincts.
- Pay attention to the environment around you. There is evidence that most attacks take place at the victim's home and 86% of the attackers are known people. Don't spend the rest of your life alert, but remember to look around.
- One of the moments when you are most vulnerable is when you are at the ATM. Research shows that you are an easy target when you turn your back to everyone behind you. As you withdraw your money, look around every few seconds to check your surroundings.
- If someone threatens you with a dagger in the neck or groin, listen to what they say and don't provoke them unless they try to get you into their car.
