When you are out and about, just doing life, like running errands, heading to work, school, or even exercising outside, you cannot be too careful when it comes to your personal safety.
The best way to be safe is to know your surroundings and pay attention to everything and everyone.
his doesn’t mean that you should be paranoid or stop enjoying your time out in a public area or at work, it’s simply understanding and practicing situational awareness – a skill that everyone young and old can learn and benefit from. It’s a skill that could save your life or someone else’s. Here are five tips for staying safe and knowing your surroundings:
Tip 1: Live in a State of Awareness
You may think that you already do this but are you ever distracted, preoccupied, checking your phone, emails, social media, while getting in or out of your car or sitting at a restaurant? Living in a state of awareness simply means that you are consciously aware of what is going on in your immediate area. It means using common sense and paying attention to things that may seem out of place or people who may be too close to you. Take notice of everything and everyone in your environment. Walk with confidence, be assertive when needed and make casual (but observant) eye contact with people.
Tip 2: Put Your Mobile Phone Away or Stop Looking at It
Everywhere you go, people have their heads down while looking at their phones and have no clue of what’s going on outside that small circle of focus. Criminals don’t want a challenge; they want an easy target. They look for people who are distracted, completely absorbed in looking at emails, texts, social media. Put your phone away while out and about unless it is absolutely necessary. If you need to use your phone, find a location that you may observe what’s going on around you before using your phone. We live in a state of “now”. Most calls and texts can wait.
Tip 3: Don’t Live in Denial
Having the mindset of “I never thought it could happen to me” is a mindset we want to prevent. Common things like leaving valuables in plain sight in your vehicle (even for a minute), door unlocked at home, your vehicle, or at work (if working alone), leaving your purse unattended at work, restaurant, or at church. Think about this…..leaving your personal items unattended on an airplane under the seat while you head to the restroom. What’s keeping the stranger next to you from going through your bag? Taking a walk or run in unknown territory to you or taking a short cut through an alley at night. Keep your belongings in sight, in your hands, on your body, or safely locked away when you need to be away from them. Walk or exercise with a buddy and at the least, tell someone your route and when you’ll return. Create a routine at home for securing your home. Avoid answering your door to strangers, and keep your doors securely locked upon entering or exiting.
Tip 4: Pay Attention to Your Gut!
You’ve noticed that something is just not right. Someone has made you feel uncomfortable. You might have a flutter in your stomach or feel like the hair just raised on the back of your neck. Pay attention to these feelings. They are often right! Stay ready and alert. It’s better to err on the side of caution. If you feel unsafe at any time, your best bet is to leave the area and avoid any potential conflict. If you feel someone is following you or is too close, change your direction or cross the street. Be prepared to use your phone or personal protection device. You may find that more often than not, you’ll discover that there was no reason to be alarmed by someone’s odd behavior, movement, or comment.
Tip 5: Be the “Wrong” Person and Have a Survivor Mindset.
Situational awareness is not about superior strength, or physical conditioning. Those things can help, but it’s mostly paying attention in every situation, using your senses, being able to identify potentially dangerous situations and identifying potential threats. It’s learning to make wise decisions quickly to avoid danger. One of the first things is to recognize that you are responsible for your own personal safety. Create the right mindset by acknowledging that bad people do exist and that bad things could happen. Pay attention, set boundaries, and use good situational awareness. Live your life with purpose, determination, and resilience. Make the decision that you are the wrong person!
If you are interested in learning more about how understanding your surroundings and being situationally aware can benefit you and your loved ones and help keep you safe, check out some of our other articles and go to USCCA to find Instructors in your area that teach Situational Awareness.
Read more: 10 Tips to Improve Your Situational Awareness, SAFE & SOUND: Separation On Vacation, Increased Crime Trends Demand People Be Situationally Aware
