Almost 2 million women are attacked each year in the United States, and many of those attacks happen out in public. While you might simply hope to stay inside and do most of your shopping online, that isn’t a good way to live your life, and it’s not always possible. Instead, you should focus on ways to stay safe while you’re out and about.
Carry Protection
The best way to keep yourself safe is to carry a way to protect yourself in case you’re ever attacked. Before you choose a method of protection, you want to ensure that you check the laws in your area to verify it’s legal.
When you’ve chosen what you want to carry for protection, you then want to find a way to safely carry it. For example, if you have decided to carry a firearm, you likely want to look for concealed carry holsters for women. You want something that won’t broadcast that you have protection, but that also allows you to quickly access it if you need it.
Stay Alert
Predators are constantly on the lookout for women that aren’t paying attention to their surroundings. Being distracted makes it easier for the person to attack you. When you’re out and about, ensure that you aren’t looking down at your phone or reading through a magazine. You want to keep your head up and make eye contact with anyone looking at you.
Additionally, avoid using headphones while you’re outside your home. When you’re listening to music or a favorite podcast, you’re making it much easier for people to sneak up behind you without you hearing them.
Ask for Help
If you’re ever uncomfortable or don’t want to walk to your car late at night, ask someone for help. Many shopping centers have security guards that will be more than happy to escort you to your car. If there isn’t a security guard on duty, ask an employee of the store or restaurant you were visiting. They won’t mind helping you, and you’ll feel much safer with someone walking you to your car.
