Most people would like to imagine that they are safe and secure. Now, for the most part, this is probably true at this very moment. Things, however, can change in the blink of an eye. This is why you must be aware of how to keep yourself protected.
For instance, take a look at the US crime statistics for a moment. It is estimated that violent crime is committed every 24.6 seconds. Properties aren’t safe, either, as there are related crimes around every four seconds!
Now, this information isn’t supposed to alarm you but to help you face facts. The best way to prevent something bad happening to you is to be properly informed and prepared. Below, you will learn how you can do this:
Focus on Relevant Details
What kind of criminals are you most afraid of? Now, if you said serial killers, you would not be alone. A good portion of the population imagines that serial killers are responsible for around 25 percent of all homicides. However, if you were to do the math, you would discover that there is around a 0.00039 percent chance of encountering this type of murderer.
The more common crimes committed on a regular basis involve robbery, rape, and assault. So, it is more important to watch out for these types of crimes. Focusing on unnecessary hazards will just end up distracting you from what you should really be worried about.
Awareness is Key
What if you were asked to describe the area stretching from your neighborhood grocery store to the parking lot? How much detail could you offer about the surrounding area? Even though you may have been there dozens of times, the answer is probably: not much.
The thing is most people aren’t too aware of what goes on around them. Unfortunately, this puts them at greater risk of being attacked or robbed. After all, if you aren’t paying attention, it makes it a lot easier for someone to come up behind you and take you by surprise.
Things have gotten even worse with technology. Devices like smartphones and music players work as distractions, ensuring that you can’t tell if someone is following you or not. This is why, when you are by yourself in an empty area, you need to put away these devices.
On top of this, you should take steps to have greater situational awareness. You can start by looking around and behind you while walking. Always have an idea of how many people are in the vicinity and whether or not someone is close behind you.
Screen the People Around You
If you are like most individuals, then you probably assume that those you meet on a regular basis are trustworthy. Well, the scary truth is that it is the people that are closest to you that you need to be concerned with. This is especially true in the cases of murder and assault.
More often than not, these crimes are committed by individuals who either knew the victim or were close to them. This is why you do have to be careful about the people you let into your life. Before you give someone full access to you and your home, go to www.checkpeople.com. Here, you will be able to find out if someone in your life has a criminal past and what they were charged with.
Now, this doesn’t mean that all strangers are perfectly safe, either. A majority of robberies are committed by individuals you don’t know. So, it is important to be safe when meeting someone new as well.
Know Your Vulnerable Points
It is always important to be aware of what your biggest vulnerabilities are, whatever situation you find yourself in. For instance, if you are driving to a nearby store late at night, your major concerns should be the lack of lighting and people. So, try to park in a well-lit area as close to the store as possible.
For women at parties, their drinks become their greatest vulnerability. So, you should get into the habit of always pouring your own drinks. If you keep your cup down and leave it alone even for a short time, ditch it and make yourself a new one. It is advisable to take your drink with you wherever you go, to avoid anyone slipping anything into it.
Don’t Get Hung Up on Social Niceties
Politeness and social niceties can often be hardwired into you. As such, you may go along with something simply because you are afraid of being rude. This can be especially common with women. Well, in instances such as these, it is always best to trust your instincts.
Do you feel that these circumstances are suspicious? If so, get out of there – you don’t even have to make an excuse. Even if you don’t feel like something is wrong, it is usually best to err on the side of caution and stay safe.
Always Have a Contingency Plan
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to rely on others for your safety. You should always be responsible for yourself. So, don’t automatically assume that your friend is going to drive you back from a party, for example. Instead, keep some extra money on you and be prepared to call a taxi.
Whenever possible, always have a plan in place for what you can do if things go bad. This can seem like an overreaction but it may just end up being useful one day. Just think about what would happen if you weren’t prepared to deal with a situation. Things could end up being a lot worse. So, you should save yourself the trouble.
These are the top points you should keep in mind if you wish to remain safe in all aspects of your life. And, remember: it is always better to be safe than sorry. This mantra will help you to make better decisions in the future.
