| Walking / Outdoor Safety Tips |
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| Be Aware of Your Surroundings At ALL Times! |
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| When Outside or Walking
- When possible, walk with others.
- Always walk or travel in areas well lit and that have plenty of other people around. Avoid being isolated from others as much as possible.
- Try to always walk on the side of the street facing traffic to avoid being followed by an automobile.
- Avoid more commonly isolated places, such as stairways of buildings, alleys, industrial areas, and some elevators.
- Be aware of potential hiding spots for attackers.
- Avoid wearing headphones. As your should expect, studies have shown that our ability to be focused on our surroundings are significantly reduced when walking or running with headphones on.
- If you feel you are being followed, turn and look back to see who it is. If you feel threatened, run or walk briskly to a group of people and tell them your concern; or go to the nearest home or open business and call the police. If you run to a home, shout "FIRE" instead of "HELP". If absolutely necessary, use your shoe or belt to break a window to get attention quicker.
- Do not walk alone when you have been drinking alcohol, have taken medication, or while in a fragile emotional state.
- Plan your route and avoid short cuts through parks, vacant lots, or poorly lit areas.
- Carry coins to make emergency calls in the event you do not have your cell phone, the batteries have gone dead, or your phone has been stolen.
- If someone attempts to attack you in a public facility such as a hotel, motel or restroom, scream at the top of your lungs, "FIRE, FIRE". Studies have shown that people are more apt to respond if they feel threatened by fire.
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