How to Protect Yourself When Walking Alone

Walking alone, especially at night, can be dangerous in even the best of locations. Fortunately, there are easy steps you can take to protect yourself when walking alone. Good planning, vigilance and preparedness can help you protect yourself from harm.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Limit Your Alone Time

1. Limit the amount of time you will spend walking alone at night. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, walking or jogging late at night is more dangerous, because fewer people are around.
2. Think before you park your car far away from your destination. When parking for a concert or play, keep in mind that the streets will be dark and deserted when you come out, even if they were busy when you parked.
3. Splurge on valet parking for evening events that you attend alone. This will cut the time you spend walking alone to the car to nil.

Remain Vigilant

4. Keep your head up and scan your surroundings as you walk alone. The LAPD advises you to remain alert to protect yourself from crime.
5. Choose large streets and more populated walkways. Walking down small, deserted streets raises your risk of being robbed or assaulted.
6. Project an attitude of calm and purpose. According to the LAPD, walkers who look like they know where they are going are less likely targets.
7. Act on your gut feelings. If someone gives you a bad feeling, tell him clearly to leave you alone, and walk away.
8. Give directions from a distance. Do not approach a car which has stopped to ask you directions.
9. Leave your headphones at home. Listening to music while you are walking distracts you from your surroundings and prevents you from hearing someone approaching you.

Be Prepared

10. Carry your car keys in your hand as you walk. Having your keys ready when you reach your car means you get in more quickly, and a key clutched between your fingers can be a weapon, if needed.
11. Wear comfortable clothes. Walking in high heels or restricting outfits decreases your ability to escape if something happens.
12. Carry your money and valuables securely stowed inside your purse or wallet. Fumbling for money in an open purse or digging into your pockets can be invitations to robbery.

Tips & Warnings

• Simply avoid walking alone when possible.
• If you think you are being followed, head into an open store, restaurant or lighted home.

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