The world is generally a safe place and most people are good. But, there is enough of an element out there that makes you feel like you need to take some extra precautions just in case. You might be safe without doing anything at all, but just the feeling that you are vulnerable is enough to want to take some extra measures. Peace of mind is priceless, after all.
There are times when you may not feel 100% secure from when you are walking to your car in a parking lot after work or at the mall when there aren’t many people around. Then there are times when you are at home and if you don’t have a good security system feel like you just can’t get comfortable.
These types of scenarios can make somebody feel anxious, stressed and lead to mental and physical health problems. Taking a few safety measures can go a long way to feeling at ease all throughout your life.
In this article, I will go over the ways that you can take your personal safety into your own hands and feel more secure.
1 – Home security
Your home is your safe space that you come back to after being out in the world. It is sort of like your own little bubble where you’re supposed to feel safe.
At the same time, it is where thieves and others that wish to do harm know that there are things of value inside. They just need to get inside and get them. Most times this is when people are not home, but it could happen that you are there during a break in, too.
And even when you are out of the house if a break in occurs, it can be traumatic on your mental state. The stress of feeling like your safe space was violated is tremendous.
You’ll need to make sure that you have the proper home security system to protect yourself and the valuables inside your home.
With the Internet of Things connecting devices through the cloud, home security systems have gotten very advanced and work much better than the older versions.
Doorbell cameras can let you know when somebody has approached your house so you can see what is happening remotely through your smartphone or computer. These cameras can be mounted all around your home so you have a sort of invisible fence that allows you to see any movement in the vicinity. Whether you are at home at the time or somewhere else, it helps to have a home safety system that does this.
If you are at home, then a system with a panic button is also a good idea as somebody may still be able to get in somehow and you want to alert everybody around so it scares the intruder off.
2 – Learn self defense
Just about anywhere you live, there is a martial arts studio that teaches self defense. This is a great way to be in control and make sure that if something were to happen that you could fend off an attack at least until you are able to get help.
Regardless of how strong you are or what kind of shape you are in, there are maneuvers that you can do that will slow a would-be attacker down long enough to protect yourself. Many attackers don’t expect much resistance and will flee at the first sign of resistance.
The first thing is to get loud and draw attention to the situation. That may be enough to ward off an attack on its own. Your attacker will not want the attention and may also realize that you are not going to be an easy target and will move on.
If you do have to get into a physical confrontation and you haven’t trained with an instructor, then make some strikes at their vulnerable parts. The groin is the first spot to target with a kick or using an item like an umbrella or bag.
Then go for the face and a kick in the knees. This will hurt your attacker and give you time to run away and get help.
3 – Prevention
The best way to protect yourself is to make sure that you are rarely in a situation where you could put yourself in danger.
Being aware of what is going on around you is a start. If you are in an area with a lot of rambunctious people and not many others, then this is a place to get away from and find another area to do what you need to do.
Likewise, if you are parking at a store or mall, then make sure that you park where it is well lit and there are other people around. Try to park as close to the entrance as possible so there is less time needed to get to your car.
You should also trust your instincts and if they are telling you that a situation doesn’t feel right then it’s time to flee. If some person seems to be following you then don’t convince yourself that you’re being paranoid. Listen to your gut feeling and duck into a store or even approach somebody to help you.
4 – Have a plan
There are a few different scenarios that can happen that challenge your safety. From an attack on your person to a natural disaster or a simple accident. Make sure that you have a well thought out plan of action to deal with any of those scenarios.
Having a portable power supply for your phone is a good start that way if you are not able to get to safety in a situation, your phone can keep its charge so you can alert the authorities to your location.
Always know where emergency exits are. If a shooting were to happen you would want to make sure that you have access to those exits and can get there quickly.
