10 Personal Safety Tips Every Girl Should Know
Especially during the college years, there are frequent situations where one might find themselves in a situation where they don’t necessarily feel safe. Every girl has heard of the “put-your-keys-between-your-knuckles” advice to stay safe on the streets. Unfortunately, this is extremely old school and a really dumb idea if you think about it. Would that honestly work? Unless your attacker had an I.Q. of around 30, then, no, probably not. I took a personal safety class in high school and most advice has stuck. Here are ten tips for you to keep in mind for if you are ever in a situation where you feel unsafe.
1. Buy a Kubaton
A Kubaton is a self-defense weapon that is cheap, concealable, and easy to use. You can buy one online for as inexpensive as five dollars. If used properly, this seemingly useless object can fend off an attacker without the chance of accidentally hurting the victim as well. Buy a Kubaton with a ring at the end and keep it as a key chain. Once you have a good amount of keys at the end, you can slash it across their face in an “X” motion, (the metal will hurt more than you think.) You can also jab the end of the Kubaton under their neck where the glands are, or, if they grab your wrist, stab it in the sensitive area of their forearm between the wrist and elbow.
2. Ask someone to walk with you
It’s awkward at first, but you should never feel ashamed for asking someone to accompany you to your car. No matter the distance, ask a colleague or friend to keep you company if you do not know your surroundings. Especially in the case of work, never feel embarrassed to ask your boss or coworker. They should feel obliged to do so; it is not uncommon to ask. You can always ask a police officer or security guard, or simply be on the phone with someone while you walk.
3. Always let at least SOMEONE know what you are up to
Before you do something out of the ordinary or go somewhere that is not a place of daily routine, make sure you do a mental check to insure that at least someone knows your whereabouts. Although it seems silly, it’s extremely important.
4. Lock your car constantly
If you already do this, four for you Glenn Cocoa. If you don’t- start doing it. You will be surprised at how quickly it becomes of habit. Lock it constantly. Even when running into a gas station or Starbucks. After you get into your car, lock it from the inside, especially if it is dark out.
5. Buy a whistle
This seems like the dumbest piece of advice, but for some reason loud noises shock and scare people. Kind of like the panic button on a car, it wouldn’t hurt to have one. Hopefully if you use this then you can shock and scare off your possible attacker before they have the chance to cause anymore harm. They may also think-“what kind of weirdo would have a whistle anyway?”-and decide not you’re not worth it anyway.
6. Think fast
Just don’t be stupid and use your head. Example? Let’s say you pass some sketchy looking people and you feel unsafe. Pretend to answer your phone as if you’re having a conversation with your boyfriend, and say loudly enough so the creeps can overhear, “I’ll be right there, I can see you from here.” Easy enough.
7. Outsmart them
You can never be too paranoid. You have to be ready to outwit anybody. For instance, when taking a taxi alone, (as crazy as it sounds,) quickly text the name of the taxi cab driver and license plate number to a friend just incase. All cab drivers are required to have this identification in the back seat. You can never be too careful. Use your surroundings to help you.
8. Get out of a stranglehold
Sorry to be dramatic. But god forbid you ever find yourself in a strangle, use all your body weight and hang on their hands or arms for a quick release. It will be reflexive for you to squirm your head upwards and try to escape the hold, but don’t! If you extend your neck upwards too much you can dig yourself deeper into the hold. Instead, press down at the base of your neck just enough to create as much airflow as possible.
9. Run
When worst comes to worst and there is little time, the most important thing is to run and get out of a situation as soon as you possibly can. If you see an instant, take it, and don’t stop running until you’re safe.
10. Use Your Heels and Nails
Girls have an advantage on male perpetrators. We usually have longer nails than them or high heels on. Use them! If someone grabs you from behind, scrape your heels against their shins or stomp as hard as you can on their feet with your heels. Don’t be afraid to use your nails either! Instead of the keys-in-between-knuckles trick, press your two thumbs as hard as you can into both their eyeballs.