Parking
1. When you park your car always try to reverse park it so that you are always facing forwards and are therefore able to see anyone suspicious coming towards you.
2. If you drive in forwards like most people do you because it’s easier, you immediately make yourself vulnerable by having your back to a potential situation and would be unable to see or deal with it before it was too late.
3. If you are facing forwards and do see someone coming towards you will have more time to react.
4. Close and lock your doors and windows if they are open and drive off immediately.
No-one is going to stand in front of a moving car so get yourself to a place of safety as soon as you can. Remember, no matter how insignificant you think the situation, it caused you to react so always report incidents like this to the police which again could prevent a further more serious incident in the future.
5. It’s a given fact that most women will also make out their shopping list or look through their handbags before leaving the car. Now there’s nothing wrong with doing this but if you do it makes sense to take some sensible precautions first.
6. Make sure that no one is watching you and have your doors locked and windows closed just in case, that way if someone does approach without you noticing, you might be startled but at least your car doors and windows will be locked so they can’t get to you. It will give you time to react - that split second advantage we talked about earlier.
7. Another thing I’d like to briefly cover while we are talking about driving is the fact that a lot of people drive to their local tube or railway station in the morning and use the station car park. Remember, in the morning the car park will be light, always try to visualise what the area will look like when you come back later in the dark as it will look very different. If possible think ahead and try to park underneath a lamp post or as close to the ticket office as you can. Better still walk back to your car with a friend or someone you know or tag along with a group of people and act as though you’re part of the group, from a distance no one would be able to tell you’re on your own.
8. Always have your car keys ready and if possible carry a torch or your personal attack alarm which as we discussed earlier does have a bright torch attachment and if you have followed my earlier advice you will be facing forwards so can drive off easily and effortlessly.
9. When you are walking towards your vehicle also pay attention to the vehicles immediately in your vicinity. Maybe there is a van parked next to your car with its side doors facing you or perhaps a car with the engine running parked next to your car. I’m not telling you these things to make you paranoid but to make you more aware, so that being aware just becomes part of your everyday behaviour and helps to keep you and your family safe.
Public transport
Most journeys that involve public transport are usually very safe, but there might be a time when you do feel particularly vulnerable on a journey so it makes sense to be prepared.
If you do feel threatened on public transport it’s important to get to a place of safety immediately.
1. Get up and move. Never show that you are frightened and always project an air of confidence. Keep calm and project strong body language as sometimes that alone will be enough.
2. Change carriages if you are able to or go and sit next to the guard if there is one. Sit with a group of people or a family if you can explaining to them that you feel threatened and could you sit with them please. Or If you feel confident enough get off at the next stop but do try to make sure there are people around.
3. If you really feel there is no alternative and are feeling frightened and being threatened, don’t be afraid to pull the communication cord and also scream and shout. Make as much noise as you possibly can. This should be enough to deter most people as they are purely opportunists and looking for an easy target. Don’t be that target.
4. On buses always sit in an aisle seat if you possibly can, that way you can’t be hemmed against the window. If you can’t get an aisle seat try to sit behind the driver as all buses now have two way radios and help can be summoned very quickly.
5. If you should find yourself unavoidably at lonely bus stops or on quiet platforms always sit or stand in a well lit area or as close to a group of people that you can. Preferably next to the green intercoms that most stations have nowadays.
6. Bus stations and bus stops can be confusing and lonely places so always make sure that you know the destination of your bus and always try to get clear directions at the other end if you are going to unfamiliar territory.
7. If you do need to ask directions at the other end try to ask the driver or ask at a petrol station or shop but never ask a total stranger as they could follow you and take advantage of your disorientation. This kind of incident has been known to happen.
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Garth Delikan
The Lifestyle Guy
Personal Empowerment Coach