Besides carrying your safety whistle with you when you go out following these personal safety tips can help you stay safe.

Always lock your doors Always get in the habit of locking your car and home doors no matter where you’re going.

Walk with somebody If you can walk with somebody to your car or any destination, do it. It’s always best to have someone come with you than walk it alone. Make sure that even if you walk with another person that you always keep a look out as well.

Be alert Be alert with your surroundings. Always keep an eye out for people that are around you. Act alert Acting like you are unaware can make you appear like a potential victim. Checking your cell phone, listening to music on headphones, and using electronics keeps you distracted from your surroundings. In particular, consuming alcohol can change your reaction time, cloud your judgment and reduce your ability to remain alert. Consider these factors before you head out alone or during evening hours.

Carry little cash Try and get used to using your debit or credit card. However, avoid using ATMs late at night in dark settings or alone. Never flash large amounts of cash or wear conspicuous expensive jewelry, watches or electronics. If you have a backpack, be sure that nothing valuable is in the outside pockets and wear it on the front of your body when you are on buses and trains to avoid pick-pockets. Consider carrying a second wallet that contains little cash and old ID that you can hand over if mugged.

Walk in well lit areas If you have any night classes or you find yourself outside at night, try to avoid walking through dark areas. Even if it means taking the least direct route to your destination, you should take well-lit and populous routes whenever possible. If something does happen, you will have a greater chance of seeing a way out or others may be able to witness the incident and notify police.

Never be afraid to yell If something does happen and you feel threatened for your life, never be afraid to yell out for help. Doing this may scare the attacker away; or it may grab others’ attention who can call 911 to get you the help you need. Although the temptation may be to keep quiet, getting loud quickly is an effective strategy to call attention, get help and a way to communicate that you will not remain silent.

Let Friends Know Where You Are and Who You Are With Though this may seem unnecessary, it could l save your life. If you are going out with someone you don’t know very well or if you are going somewhere alone, check in with a friend. This way, if something happens, there will be someone who can alert the police that you may be in trouble and in need of help.

Take a Self Defense Class Taking a Self Defense course may be the most important class you ever take. Learning personal self defense will always give you an additional advantage regardless of your skill level.

___________________

Victim or witness to a crime: Be observant, call 9-1-1

• Report all crimes so the police can identify trouble areas.
• Get Descriptions of suspects such as height, weight, race, hair, clothing, shoes or makings such as scars or tattoos.
• Watch escape to remember direction, vehicle and license number.
• Write down details including street address and time of day. Look for witnesses. Record all details as soon as possible. If you still have your mobile phone consider leaving yourself a voice mail or memo.