Staying safe in today’s society
By Kiera D’Souza
As young women in today's society, personal safety is a top priority. It is crucial to equip yourself with the necessary skills and strategies to help you stay out of trouble and danger. Here are some valuable tips to help you stay safe in your community!
1. Awareness and Mindfulness
Being aware of your surroundings is extremely important as it can prevent you from getting into dangerous situations. Always trust your gut instinct, and if you feel you are in an unsafe situation, remove yourself from it. It's better to be perceived as rude, at the expense of your safety. Additionally, when you're by yourself, try to avoid distractions, as they make you an easy target. People who are looking down on their phones, or have airpods in, are very easy targets.
2. Trust Your Support System
It's so important to maintain open communication with trusted family and friends. When going out, share your plans with family and friends to ensure somebody is aware of your location and well-being. Make sure this support system is reliable and trustworthy!
3. Car Safety
Despite whether you drive or not, car safety is so important. When you get into the car, the first thing you should always do is lock the doors. Do not get on your phone, or get distracted. Additionally, if you ever see something weird or abnormal near or on your car, do not go near it. Call the police or get somebody to walk you out to your car.
4. Emergency Contacts
Save emergency contacts on your phone, so that they are easily accessible when you need them. Whether it's a medical issue, unforeseen situation, or simply the need for help, having designated emergency contacts allows you to quickly connect with family, friends and even first responders. This proactive measure may potentially save you from a dangerous or scary situation.
5. Personal Safety Kit
Having a personal safety kit you can bring with you is so crucial. These kits, curated with essentials like small first aid kits, personal alarms, flashlights, and other small tools can provide solutions in unexpected circumstances. These kits will offer you a sense of preparedness and also proactive measures to ensure that you are safe and confident in your day to day life.
6. Effective Communication
Having effective communication skills can really act as a deterrent to potential danger and threat. Being able to assertively express your boundaries and communicate confidently is so crucial as a young girl in today's society. If someone is doing something to make you uncomfortable, have confidence in saying “no” firmly and without hesitation. Additionally, developing the ability to clearly articulate your feelings and needs is also very important. Strong communication skills not only enhance your personal safety, but they also help you build a supportive network of people who hopefully respect and understand your boundaries.
