How to Be Confident and Safe when Going Out Alone
Tell someone where you are going and how long you plan to stay., Make sure your car is in good shape if you're driving., Park your car in a safe location., Walk down a well-lit path when you're on foot., Learn how to defend yourself.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Tell someone where you are going and how long you plan to stay.
This doesn't mean that you're cramping your own style.
You're being smart by letting a family member or friend know where
- and when
- to start looking for you and worrying, if it comes to that.
You don't need to provide a GPS tracker, but it's smart to leave a MapQuest or Google map of your planned route for your friend or parent so they know where to look for you if you don't show up.
Knowing you have taken these simple precautions can boost your confidence significantly.
Before you leave to meet your friends, call or text them to let them know you're on your way so they'll know something is up if you're not there.
When you get there, tell your friend or parent that you've made it safely. -
Step 2: Make sure your car is in good shape if you're driving.
If you're driving somewhere by yourself, you need to make sure that you have a spare tire in case you get a flat tire and that nothing on your dashboard is lit up before you go.
You should also have a AAA or other roadside emergency service card with you as well as a charged cell phone.
Fill your car up with gas before you leave.
Just checking to make sure everything is cool before you get going is a great step to give you peace of mind before you head out. , Before you get out of your car, think about where you have parked.
Is it well-lit, easy to see from the street? This is the best place to park if alone.
Avoid parking in dark alleys or very far away from the door of your destination.
Remember where you parked
- this is very important.
Mentally map your path to the door of the place you're going, take note of anyone on the street, and gather your things quickly.
Upon leaving your car, check carefully that it is locked and you have left nothing enticing (like a laptop bag or an iPad) in plain view.
Walk purposefully
- do not meander
- directly to the door and enter immediately.
Lingering on the street is not a good idea, it allows potential attackers to see that you are alone.
Keep anyone you noticed out on the street in your mind, and in the corner of your eye, if possible. , Even if you're in a relatively safe neighborhood
-- and especially if you're not
-- you should find the most popular, well-lit street.
If you're walking down a dark alley, or find yourself in the middle of a dim residential street, you're more likely to get robbed if there's no one around.
A well-lit path will make it easier for you to see where you're going and it will keep criminals from coming your way.
Here are some other things to do if you're on foot:
Don't listen to your head phones or keep checking your text messages.
Stay alert.
Walk in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic so an abductor is less likely to put you in his car.
Know exactly where you're going to leave the house.
If you check your phone's map app every few minutes, you'll be making yourself an easy target.
If you're out alone in the dark, it's not a good time to stop at an ATM. , It's important to remember that you do not have to suddenly earn a black belt in karate or carry a knife around with you
- but if you're generally confident when you go out alone, knowing that you can take care of yourself can reassure you greatly.
Train your senses so you will feel like you can look after yourself
- be more observant, so that you will know if something is about to happen.
If you travel or live in risky or dangerous areas, learn how to block punches, or think of how to avoid harmful incidents.
Developing a more street smart attitude may seem silly, or pointless, but the simple knowledge that you can protect yourself will increase your confidence. -
Step 3: Park your car in a safe location.
-
Step 4: Walk down a well-lit path when you're on foot.
-
Step 5: Learn how to defend yourself.
Detailed Guide
This doesn't mean that you're cramping your own style.
You're being smart by letting a family member or friend know where
- and when
- to start looking for you and worrying, if it comes to that.
You don't need to provide a GPS tracker, but it's smart to leave a MapQuest or Google map of your planned route for your friend or parent so they know where to look for you if you don't show up.
Knowing you have taken these simple precautions can boost your confidence significantly.
Before you leave to meet your friends, call or text them to let them know you're on your way so they'll know something is up if you're not there.
When you get there, tell your friend or parent that you've made it safely.
If you're driving somewhere by yourself, you need to make sure that you have a spare tire in case you get a flat tire and that nothing on your dashboard is lit up before you go.
You should also have a AAA or other roadside emergency service card with you as well as a charged cell phone.
Fill your car up with gas before you leave.
Just checking to make sure everything is cool before you get going is a great step to give you peace of mind before you head out. , Before you get out of your car, think about where you have parked.
Is it well-lit, easy to see from the street? This is the best place to park if alone.
Avoid parking in dark alleys or very far away from the door of your destination.
Remember where you parked
- this is very important.
Mentally map your path to the door of the place you're going, take note of anyone on the street, and gather your things quickly.
Upon leaving your car, check carefully that it is locked and you have left nothing enticing (like a laptop bag or an iPad) in plain view.
Walk purposefully
- do not meander
- directly to the door and enter immediately.
Lingering on the street is not a good idea, it allows potential attackers to see that you are alone.
Keep anyone you noticed out on the street in your mind, and in the corner of your eye, if possible. , Even if you're in a relatively safe neighborhood
-- and especially if you're not
-- you should find the most popular, well-lit street.
If you're walking down a dark alley, or find yourself in the middle of a dim residential street, you're more likely to get robbed if there's no one around.
A well-lit path will make it easier for you to see where you're going and it will keep criminals from coming your way.
Here are some other things to do if you're on foot:
Don't listen to your head phones or keep checking your text messages.
Stay alert.
Walk in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic so an abductor is less likely to put you in his car.
Know exactly where you're going to leave the house.
If you check your phone's map app every few minutes, you'll be making yourself an easy target.
If you're out alone in the dark, it's not a good time to stop at an ATM. , It's important to remember that you do not have to suddenly earn a black belt in karate or carry a knife around with you
- but if you're generally confident when you go out alone, knowing that you can take care of yourself can reassure you greatly.
Train your senses so you will feel like you can look after yourself
- be more observant, so that you will know if something is about to happen.
If you travel or live in risky or dangerous areas, learn how to block punches, or think of how to avoid harmful incidents.
Developing a more street smart attitude may seem silly, or pointless, but the simple knowledge that you can protect yourself will increase your confidence.
About the Author
Mary Moore
Enthusiastic about teaching lifestyle techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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