The website safety.com carries a personal safety guide designed especially for women.
The tips shared in the article includes strategies to avoid or de-escalate encounters with strangers intent on taking aggressive actions for a variety of reasons. It focuses on women who may be most vulnerable going to and from their jobs.
The article includes several safety tips that include:
- When going to your car, take special care to scan your surroundings. Avoid turning your back to load packages into your car and make it a habit of getting into your vehicle and driving away quickly.
- If you are confronted, make eye contact and speak with confidence. By asserting confidence, you project strength and are less likely to be seen as a potential victim.
- Stay hands free. Dwelling in your car while staring at your phone could invite an armed intruder to try an unlocked door in an attempt to make you a hostage.
- If you’re confronted or attacked, don’t resist. Look to escape by giving away the keys and car. Hand over money and don’t argue, fight or chase the robber.
- Consider taking a self-defense course.
Washington Retail employs Rick Means, Director of Safety & Education, to share ideas for safety meetings and help members in drawing up safety plans. Contact him at 360-200-6454 or [email protected]
