Staying safe in an unsafe world

The world is much more dangerous for children and adults than we often will admit.

The statistics are alarming. Eighty three percent of Americans will experience a violent crime in their lifetimes, which includes assault, robbery, murder, home invasion or car jacking.*

But we don't want to think of ourselves as victims of crime. We take pride in living in a safe place with neighbors and friends who look out for us. We won't lock our doors or take safety precautions because we naively assume we can take care of ourselves or that 'those things don't happen here.'

In 1985 I received a grant from the Montana Department of Health to teach classes on "preventing attacks" to ladies in four Montana cities. In my months of preparation, I discovered that most crimes can be prevented from ever happening by taking "stay safe" precautions.

What keeps us from taking these preventive steps? Is it pride, ignorance or the risk of ridicule from other people? If you wish to know how to keep yourself safe in an increasingly dangerous world, consider taking these steps:

#1 Keep your house and car doors locked at all times. Do not open your house door unless you know who is on the other side. Speak through the door. Home invasion criminals just want you to open your door to them. They may be asking to use your phone because theirs died, sign a petition or help them find a lost pet. A locked door is your only sure defense.

Never let a stranger into your personal space in public, no matter what they say. Personal space is anywhere from two to four feet. Criminals may approach you to ask for the time, directions, or any other reason. Back away and keep your distance if you decide to engage with them. Run if they insist on coming too close.

Stay home or at school when you are alone, unless you will be in public where there are other people. Go places in groups during the day and stay home at night. Even in groups, follow the personal space rule.

Listen to your "gut." If you feel unsafe, you probably are in danger. Studies have shown that your "inner self" will pick up body language clues from others that your rational mind tries to dismiss, making you out to be a "fearful wimp." Listen to your instincts!

Never be embarrassed to ask for help or assistance getting to a safe place. Asking for assistance, especially at night, is a sign of intelligence not timidity.

In the next BVD I will finish this series with the remaining five safe measures.

* 'Lifetime Likelihood of Victimization', Bureau of Justice Statistics, http://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/104274pdf