Tips to Stay Safe

     Not to make anyone overly paranoid, but there are people in this world who are not the most friendly of folk.  In fact, some people have purely evil intentions at heart.  Here are some tips I from a public safety officer that you can keep in mind to stay safe during these crazy times we live in:

     1) The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you need to protect yourself and the perpetrator is close enough, use it!

     2) If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO THEM.  Throw it as far away from you as possible.  Chances are that they are more interested in your money than in you, which will give you time to get away.

     3) If you ever find yourself in the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick something out of the back.  The driver will not see you, but someone else will.  This has saved lives before.

     4) Do not just sit in your car after shopping, working, eating, etc. (to read, fill out a check, etc.)  If someone has been watching you, this is the perfect opportunity for them to break into your car.  Lock the doors right away and leave.

     5) If someone ever puts a gun to your head and tells you where to drive, DO NOT DRIVE OFF.  Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF!  Gun the engine and speed into anything, (that is not alive), wrecking the car.  Your air bag should save you.  If the person had been in the back seat, they will get the brunt of the collision.  As soon as the car crashes, get out and run.  A totaled car is replaceable; you are not.

     6) When getting into your car in a parking lot: be aware, and look around.  Look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and into the back seat.  If you are parked next to a large van, you can enter from the passenger door if you are nervous about being abducted.  Some serial killers attack the victims by pulling them into their vans while they are trying to get into their cars.  Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and if someone is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may walk back into the building and get a guard or policeman to escort you back out.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.

     7) Stairwells are horrible places for crime, especially when alone or at night.  The elevator is safer.

     8) If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, RUN!  They can only hit a running target 4 out of 100 times, unlikely to be fatal.  Run preferably in a zigzag pattern.

     9) If you are a woman, STOP being so sympathetic; it can get you killed or taken advantage of.

   10) DO NOT go outside alone at night to investigate anything.  Call the police if something fishy is going on.

     Stay safe, pass on the information, and look out for each other.  Do not live in fear, but be aware of what is out there.  There is nothing to fear but fear itself, the unknown, and the ignored.  Be a good person.