Bad things can and do happen that the world can seem like a very scary and dangerous place at times. The good news is, there are several preventative ways you can do to reduce this risk. While nothing can completely protect you from harm, there are some easy ways to avoid potential harm or to be prepared for it if it does occur.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Protecting Yourself at Night
Step 1. Don't act like a victim
For criminals, the most easy prey are people who are timid, weak, unwary, willing to compromise to "do good" to others. It's even easier to take advantage of these people when they're alone, in closed spaces, or when they're drunk.
- Take action with confidence. Make eye contact with the people around you. Take steps with a clear goal.
- Be polite and helpful, but don't be taken advantage of. Sometimes criminals will try to lure someone in by pretending to be asking for help. For example, if someone asks from inside the car for directions, help within safe limits. Don't go near the car window.
- Stay with friends or in a crowd. Usually people who are alone more easily become victims. It will be more difficult to commit a crime against someone in the company of another person, and even if there are only other people nearby, the likelihood of a crime being committed will be less.
Step 2. Be aware of the conditions around you
There is no need to be so alert that you have to pay attention to every little thing or imagine scary things. However, being alert will keep you out of harm's way and show criminals that you're paying attention.
- Don't keep texting, talking on the phone, or using gadgets until you're oblivious to your surroundings.
- Do not listen to loud music using earbuds that plug your ear canal tightly.
- Pay attention to the people around you. If a drunk person yells and yells in the middle of the street, you can see it right away and stay out of trouble.
Step 3. Wear clothes that are bright or reflecting light
While this may seem counterproductive-since you shouldn't be drawing attention to yourself?-it can actually help you in other ways.
- Try to be easily visible. Brightly colored or bouncing clothes and bright lights (such as a headlight or bicycle light) can reduce the risk of a car accident. You won't be able to be seen if you wear dark clothes at night, and traffic accidents will be more common than crimes.
- This method also keeps you from being targeted. Bright colors have a correlation with beliefs and people who have bad intentions for you will discourage them because you can be seen clearly.
Step 4. Do not walk in unlit areas, such as in alleys or parks
While bad luck may befall you in a well-lit area, it will be much easier for someone to attack you in a dark area and it will be more difficult to provide assistance if needed.
Keep walking in well-lit areas, busy public roads, highways, and special pathways for pedestrians. The more people around you, the better
Step 5. Make sure someone knows where you are and what you're doing
If something happens to you, of course you want at least one person to know what you're doing and where you're going.
If you have to walk at night, make sure you have a friend or trusted person who knows the route you're taking. That way, if something happens to you, they know where to start looking for you
Step 6. Memorize emergency phone numbers
Cell phones in today's era are capable of storing so much information that it feels like there's no need to memorize any numbers anymore. You should create a backup plan in case your phone is lost, stolen, or the battery runs out.
- In addition to emergency phone numbers (such as the number for the police or fire department) you should memorize the phone numbers of some friends you can call if you have trouble.
- If you can, choose the phone numbers of people who live in your area. While it is easiest to call your mother, she may live hundreds of kilometers away and not be able to help you.
Step 7. Implement a peer-to-peer checking system
If you're going out at night, especially for a club event or a drink, go with your friends. Decide beforehand, who will be accompanied by whom. This way you only need to check on one friend, and you know someone else will check on you too.
If someone is in charge of being a driver, ask him to be responsible for making sure that all the friends who go with you are okay. Make sure that everyone has their friend's key so that no one leaves the event alone
Step 8. If you want to drink, watch your drink
If you need to go to the restroom, go out to smoke, or have other things to do, and you haven't finished your drink yet, entrust it to a friend you can trust. You don't know if someone has mixed something in your drink (eg, drugs.)
If someone puts something in your drink, it's not your fault but the fault of the person who did it
Step 9. Prepare money for transportation
You'll need to bring enough cash to pay for the fare for a taxi, bus, train or other public transportation so that you can pay the fare from where you get to your home.
- Keep spare money separate from the money you will use for events in the evening. That way you won't spend all the money you brought with you that night until you don't have any left to go home.
- This also applies when you come home from work at night. If something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, it's a good idea to have enough money to quickly get away from the situation by taking a taxi or bus, if needed.
Step 10. Find out the latest bus schedule
If you are late and have to take the bus or train, find out the latest departure times. That way, if you arrive late, you won't have to wait at the bus stop or train station.
- Have other plans in case you miss the bus or train. Keep the phone number of the nearest taxi or a friend you can call.
- If you take the bus late at night, find a seat near the driver. The chances of a bus being robbed are greater if you sit in the back than if you sit near the driver.
Method 2 of 3: Protecting Yourself at Home
Step 1. Set up an easily accessible emergency phone number
If you're at home, especially if you're alone, keep emergency phone numbers easily accessible so you don't have to look for them if something goes wrong.
- Have an emergency phone number to call the police, fire, or ambulance.
- Also prepare the telephone number for the poisoning treatment center or the nurse who provides consulting services in the event of an accident or illness that you find difficult to confirm as an emergency.
- Also have the phone number of a neighbor you can trust or a close friend you can call if something happens.
Step 2. Place the emergency device in an easily accessible place
In the event of a fire, accident or otherwise, you don't have to look for emergency kits in your pile of belongings. Make sure that everyone in the house also knows where to store this device.
- Keep the first aid kit in a certain place in the bathroom so you don't have to look for it everywhere if needed.
- Prepare at least one fire extinguisher in an appropriate place in the house such as in the kitchen and where there is a fire. Also, make sure that people in your home know how to use this fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.
- Place the flashlight in an easily visible place. If the power goes out or there is another problem, you know exactly where to get a flashlight.
Step 3. Prepare an emergency plan
While you can't make plans for every condition, it's a good idea to have an emergency plan in case something major goes wrong at home, especially if you're alone.
- Define multiple escape routes in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do and where to go in the event of a fire.
- For those of you who live in certain areas, also prepare an emergency plan if there is a possibility of a tornado, earthquake, and so on.
- Also prepare an emergency plan in case someone ever forces their way in by determining a route to get out of the house, finding a place to hide in the house, where to seek help, and so on.
Step 4. Set an alarm
An alarm is very necessary as an early warning sign if there is a danger threat while you are at home such as a fire, carbon monoxide gas leak, or someone who wants to force their way into your house.
- There are various kinds of alarm systems. Find the most suitable or customize it to your needs. For example, if there is a problem with carbon monoxide gas in your home, what you need is not an alarm system that provides an early warning.
- Check that your alarm system is always on and equipped with working batteries and cables. There is no point in installing an alarm system if it can never be used.
Step 5. Lock all doors and windows
Unless you live in a neighborhood where people don't usually lock their doors (as in some small towns) lock yours, especially if you're alone at home. You have to lock the door especially the door on the ground floor because it is easiest to use as an entrance by robbers or people who force their way in.
Depending on the area where you live, you may need to install bars on windows, especially on the ground floor
Step 6. Never tell anyone if you are home alone
If someone is at your doorstep and is talking to you, don't say that you are alone in the house. If you live in an apartment and someone you don't know wants to chat with you, don't let them in unless you know them well.
- No need to post on Facebook or other social media that you are alone at home.
- This should be known especially if you are a child and alone at home. Even though it's rare in the movies (such as Home Alone) don't let others assume your home is at risk because you're the only one in the house.
Step 7. Make sure the backup key is not easily found by people who intend to enter
The best way to keep a spare key is to leave it with a neighbor you trust and ask to return it when you get home. Otherwise, you will need to properly store this key in a certain place.
- That is, do not hide the keys under the doormat in front of the house or next to a flower pot. This is the first place that is usually seen by those who want to force their way into the house.
- For example, hide the key for the barn door on a hanger behind a park bench, then use the barn key to retrieve the house key that you have hidden in this shed.
Step 8. Don't go inside the house if it looks like it's been tampered with
If you get home and see your windows or doors open in an unusual way, don't go inside to check. Instead, go to a neighbor's house and call the police immediately.
- If there's a light that shouldn't be on, try calling your home to see if anyone in your family has gone home without you knowing.
- Checking to see if anyone with malicious intent is still in the house can be bad for you, it's best to call the police immediately and let them handle it.
Method 3 of 3: Protecting Yourself on the Go
Step 1. Make a duplicate of the important document
If anything happens to your passport or other important documents during the trip (such as identity cards, visa information, etc.) there must be duplicates of these documents for you to show to the police or consulate.
- Keep a duplicate of your document in a separate place from the original. For example, if you use a small bag to store all the original important documents like passports, etc., keep the duplicates in another bag.
- You should also leave a duplicate of this document with a trusted friend or family member. Thus, if all your documents are lost or stolen, you can contact them to retrieve these duplicates.
Step 2. Look up the information before you go
Try to find as much information as possible about the area you are going to visit. Find out which areas are safe and which are not, so you know which areas to avoid.
- You must know the customs of the locals so as not to make others feel attacked. For example, there are certain gestures in the United States that are considered very rude in other countries.
- Ask locals which areas are safe to visit. Locals are usually willing to recommend areas that are good to visit and which areas you should not visit. There are many websites (eg Couchsurfing) that can help you to connect with people in various places via the internet and they can share information with you.
Step 3. Learn some words from the local language
While you probably won't be able to speak fluently, you should at least have enough access to communicate in the local language in case of problems.
- Make notes of a few important sentences (not just "Where's the bathroom?") about things like: how to get to the train/bus station, where is the police station/consulate in your country of origin, cafes that provide internet, and so on.
- If you understand some colloquial terms for communicating with the locals, they may be more than happy to help you because you've done more than just being a tourist.
Step 4. Share your itinerary with someone you trust
This is especially necessary if you are traveling alone. There has to be someone in charge of knowing where you should be and what you should be doing. That way, if you don't get to where you're supposed to be, someone will look for you right away.
If there are changes to your itinerary, please contact and inform him of these changes
Step 5. Set up your wallet and phone as bait
This wallet is only filled with an expired credit card, maybe an old ID card, and a few pieces of foreign currency that you are currently using that are of little value. If you have a wallet as bait and someone picks it up, they only get this wallet.
Don't take a fancy cell phone or purse filled with cash with you during your trip. There is a chance that you will be robbed
Step 6. Don't flaunt your valuables
This is related to the step above. Do not bring expensive items such as jewelry, watches, cell phones, laptops, etc. when you travel. While you could be robbed at home, it's more likely that you're clearly a tourist in a place you don't know well.
Step 7. Take a good look at your important belongings
Be careful while you travel. The moment you're not alert, that's when someone can pull your camera or bag.
- Make a list keeping in mind all your important belongings (e.g. wallet, cell phone, passport, etc.) and make sure that these items are still available every now and then. During the trip, usually there is often confusion or need to hurry, at this time you may lose your luggage.
- If you've just been sitting somewhere, try checking the area around you before boarding, for example if you're going to take the bus.
Step 8. Separate your money
Never keep all your money in just one place. Keep it in several places using your belongings. Some you can keep in your purse for bait, some in your actual purse, in a bag, sock, or in another bag.
This way, should your luggage be stolen or robbed, you won't run out of money at all
Step 9. Stay aware of the situation
When you travel, you will usually easily get carried away in different situations and occur without realizing it. You feel stressed, rushed, want to see a lot of things, which is completely incomprehensible.
- The reason why people are more likely to be robbed when they travel is not that crime rates are higher in other countries than in yours. This is because you pay more attention to things when you're at home, and it's easier to spot when something isn't in its place.
- Thieves can team up or take the opportunity to rob you in very crowded situations. If there is a group of people huddled near you, watch for hands trying to get into your pockets.
- The more alert you appear, the less likely you are to be targeted by crime.
Step 10. Be skeptical if there are too many nice people
Thieves can devise a situation to distract you by pretending to "help" while their friends rob you. Be careful if someone is being too nice.
Unless everyone around you is really kind, don't take it for granted if someone is overly kind or goes out of their way to offer help until you're really annoyed
Tips
- Trust your intuition. If certain situations or people are causing you to feel insecure, these feelings may be justified. Maybe you pick up on cues from your subconscious. Even if the conditions are very good, it is always better to choose the safe way than to go into a bad situation just because you don't believe your heart.
- Always carry pepper spray with you. This tool is useful for protecting yourself to keep you safe.
