The thought that everyone is at risk of being a victim of a crime whether outside or within the confines of one’s home is sometimes a nerve wracking thought. There are people who would usually get paranoid when it comes to their sense of security. To them it is always a constant struggle because they have a feeling that they are lowering their defenses making them vulnerable to the criminal elements who are ready to pounce on their prey when they least expected it.
There are some ways to prevent such things happening to anyone and it is surprisingly to know that they are within the realm of the good old fashioned common sense. Here are the top personal security tips one can follow:
Follow the Boy Scout rule: Be Prepared. You would be surprised as to how many people violate this simple rule. Being prepared means being organized. Organize the things you put in your bag or purse by limiting the amount of clutter in it. Plan your trip when going to work or going out of town.
Observe your surroundings. Look at the people when you are walking outside.
Let others know where you are going and how long you will be out.
Do not walk alone in dark areas; always have somebody to walk with you like a friend or colleague. If you really need to go it is advisable that you wear a brightly colored shirt.
Invest in a pepper spray or anything that can create noise and attract attention
Always carry a flash light with you.
You can also study basic self defense. Maybe that umbrella of yours can be of use besides from shielding you from rain and sun. By the way, the umbrella as a weapon is a state of fact. They would teach you about that in self-defense schools.
Do not go withdrawing money from an ATM machine that has no ample lighting and no immediate security personnel within the vicinity.
Withdraw only what you only need and tear the receipt statement afterwards.
If you have a routine when going to banks to withdraw or deposit money, criminals might be studying your moves. So it is advisable to change your routines. For example, if you are going to banks every Tuesday, why not change it to Friday instead. The idea is to make them confused by being unpredictable in your movements.
When an attack is imminent or when you are being attacked, you should shout FIRE instead. Somehow this registers an immediate response to people rather than shouting HELP.
If a thief is trying to steal your bag or purse, let them have it.
When you’re at home, make sure that security alarm systems are installed and operating properly.
Do not rush into your home if there’s even a hint or suspicion of a break-in. The perpetrators might still be in there. Call the police for assistance.
When you take a ride inside the taxi, take a look at the ID and note the name of the driver and the plate number of the cab.
Park only on well lit areas.
Avoid wearing excessive jewelries.
Avoid wearing clothes that strict your movements.
Organize your keys. When you are walking to your car, always prepare your keys ahead of time to avoid fumbling to it; have a separate key holder for your car keys.
Do not place your extra key under the doormat since this is where the burglars would look into first. Hide it where it is not obvious. Be creative.
The above mentioned lists are just few of the top personal security tips. As the old adage goes it is better to be safe than sorry in the end.