As working women, we spend a lot of time either being busy alone or on the go; walking to the underground or train station, taking the bus, parking our cars and walking to the office, and sometimes leaving work and coming home late at night.
Safety Precautions for Working Women:
While feeling confident and safe can be healthy, a certain amount of caution is always in order as you venture the city alone. Today, we round up the top four safety precautions every working woman should take every day.
1. Always Be Careful and Alert
Try to always commute through fairly populated and well-lit streets, and it is always best to go with someone – ride the bus or walk with a colleague, or try carpooling. If you have to be alone, and some less crowded roads are inevitable, remain alert and pay attention to details. Stay away from suspicious individuals; pick up the pace when you walk past dark alleys; and train your memory by glancing at the faces and car plates around you.
When you’re alone at home, or at the office late at night, make sure that your doors are locked and windows are secured. It’s also a good idea to keep a simple weapon handy; pepper spray or a sharp envelope opener should do.
2. Practice Self Defense
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I am not suggesting that you should always be scared or develop unjustified fears, but simulating common attack scenarios and practicing the ways you can defend yourself and escape is always a good mental and physical refresher. If possible, try to periodically attend some self-defense classes to brush up on the various tactics and mechanisms. Even watching tutorials online can help jog your memory.
On the other hand – and in different situations – escape can actually be better than self-defense. If the attacker seems big or strong enough to overpower you, being prepared with an escape strategy could save your life. Practicing various getaway tactics, and training yourself to run as fast as you can maybe brilliant options to explore.
3. Carry a Concealed Self-Defense Tool
Every woman should carry at least one item in her purse that can be used as a weapon. My mother always had her big old pointy metal nail file everywhere she went. Nowadays, there are various purse self defense weapons on the market that are easy to carry, even in the smallest bags, and quite simple to use. They also come in various shapes and prices that fit all tastes and budgets.
On that note, women who live alone should have a weapon at home to protect themselves from intruders. Many women own guns and gun accessories that improve accuracy like iron sights and optics. Guns are deadly when not handled properly, so people who own firearms should be familiar with gun safety protocols to avoid hurting themselves and innocent people.
4. Keep Your Phone Charged at All Times
It is always important to report attacks as soon as they happen. This helps authorities identify high-risk areas to increase security measures, as well as provides information to unsuspecting individuals like yourself. Ensuring that your phone is charged at all times gives you the chance to make the necessary calls to report an attack after you have reached a safe place. It also offers you the reassurance that a friend or family member can meet you somewhere or pick you up if you are too shaken to get to your destination alone.
Stay Safe
Safety precautions are a must for every woman! As the saying goes: better safe than sorry. Always remember to stay focused and careful when you’re out and about. Cling to your bag when you’re walking down the street; go over your self-defense and escape strategies every now and then, and maybe invest in a purse self-defense weapon that will grant you peace of mind – although I truly hope that you never have to use it.
