Next year, I’ll be moving to Chicago. Considering I’m from New Zealand, where even our police don’t carry guns, life will be very different.While I’m definitely a city girl, there’s no doubt that there are more things to consider in order to stay safe when you live in a large city. I’ve been doing my research, and here are a few of the top tips I’ve found:
Carry a weapon
I would never encourage anyone to carry a firearm, as guns scare me. But there are a few items you can carry to give you peace of mind and help keep you safe. There are plenty of tasers for sale, and these can be a good option since they can be stashed in your purse during the day and carried in your hand if you don’t feel safe. Other options include pepper spray and stun-guns. Keep in mind that you should never let these give you a false sense of security- these are just a backup and not an excuse to walk in a dodgy area late at night.
You should also keep yourself safe at home, and wireless spy cameras can be a great option- especially if you’re leaving your kids with a babysitter.
Watch your drinks
We’ve all heard about that girl (or guy) who was roofied on a night out. Unfortunately, predators like to spend time in the bars looking for victims who are not paying attention to their drinks. When I was a teenager, my mum taught me to casually rest a palm on my drink. If you’re going to the bathroom, take your drink with you, finish it, or give it to a trusted friend. Never leave a drink unattended and come back for it- that’s just asking for trouble
Take a self-defense class
I believe every woman should take a basic self-defense class. The best time to start is when you’re a kid, and I have every intention of enrolling my future children in Taekwondo or Karate. These classes teach you the things you need to know to get out bad situations, and being able to react quickly could be the difference between escaping an attack and being another statistic.
Stay aware
One of my biggest downfalls is the tendency to get wrapped up in my own little world- especially when walking or while out with friends. Staying aware is crucial, and unfortunately that means no listening to podcasts or music when you’re out and about. If you notice someone following you, don’t do that weird half look where you try and catch sight of them in your peripheral vision. Turn fully around and look at them properly so they can tell you’ve seen your face and you’re not a victim.
