“Never Ask For A Quiet Room”: 45 Everyday Safety Tips Women Swear By For Navigating The World

My mother was followed a couple of times before I was born, (Chicago), she said one time a man grabbed her and she just felt sick and went limp completely stopped walking, and he ran off, another time she was being followed and turned and confronted the man and that made him stop, and another time she hightailed it in a store and went right behind the counter and got the clerk’s attention.

When walking alone I put metal chopsticks in my ponytail just in case.

My bestie walks home from work at night carrying a hammer in her hand.

My mama used to tell me to keep a can of Raid next to my register when I worked with the public, she used to and said it would shoot farther than pepper spray.

Always walk like you have somewhere you're a little late for, especially in an unfamiliar area.
If you have to doublecheck directions on your phone, go into a store, stand in front of a shelf, people will just assume you're comparing prices.
If someone is approaching you and making you nervous, make eye contact and ask them if you know them from a party or nightclub, or if they know so-and-so(pick a really common name)They won't want to mess with you if you can ID them(or they think you can).

Stop. Giving. Out. Your. Phone. Number.
Use an app or a google voice number. You can find a ton of info, INCLUDING YOUR ADRRESS, with just your number.

When strange men approach you say “HEY how ya doin??” Like you’re a confident man in a business meeting. Idk why but it works 😂 changed the game for me.

Always notice cars behind you.
Make a few turns and if they keep following then never go home. Go to a police station.
And never carry a gun in your purse.
NEVER.

Make eye contact. Strangers are less likely to assault you if they know you’ve seen their face and can give a description.

Being heavily tattooed makes you less likely to be targeted for human trafficking and easier to identify if you are taken.

Get a dog. Not a tiny one. I can walk outside with no fear now. They wouldn't hurt a fly, but they sound terrifying.

For the love of all things-
KNOW YOUR EXITS!
Try to face the entrance and pay attention to who is entering. May just save your life

If I see someone creepy approaching me, I say in my mind “stay away from me”. Men have literally turned on their heels and walked the other way. Is it logical? No. Has it worked numerous times for me? Yes.

I always leave enough space in front of my car to move suddenly if needed.

Pay attention to your shadow if it’s in front of you, this always helps me when i’m afraid that there’s someone behind.

When I walked around on a solo trip in Italy, I always carried my tripod in hand, in a long, cylindrical black bag. I got verbally catcalled often, but no one ever approached/ touched me.

Your elbow is your strongest bone/ thing to use.

Lying for safety isn’t lying lying; use it freely! Memorize a couple of phone numbers and carry a power bank.

If someone has their hands around your throat, drop your chin right away. It’ll make it harder for them to choke you. Use 4 fingers and jab them into their armpit as hard as you can. Their reflex will be to pull that arm in towards their body. Then put your arms inside of theirs and raise them above your head. Spin towards whatever armpit you jabbed. It’ll break their hold.

When I'm loading my kids in the car at the park or store, I always loudly tell them that we are going straight to see Daddy for lunch because he just got done at the gym! Trained my daughter to respond with "LEG DAY BABY!"