Staying Alert: Safety tips on how to be careful while alone in public

After a long day at work, I tiptoe out to my car around 6 p.m. Pitch black night, dead silence and a teenage girl walking alone — the perfect start to a horror movie. I turn on my phone’s flashlight and glance over my shoulder with every step, making sure I really am alone.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets in my car and immediately turns around to make sure there isn’t a stranger hiding behind my seat. As sad as it is that we have to face these fears in our society, it’s still the reality we live in. Everyone should be hyper aware and take necessary safety precautions for keeping their guard up in public.

I started feeling the need to be hyper aware when I was at a gas station around 11 p.m. A cop approached me and gave me a few suggestions on how to stay safe while getting gas, especially so late at night. He told me to lock the doors and have my back against the car, so I could see my surroundings at all times. His advice stuck with me and inspired me to compile my own tips.

According to mochip.org, 81% of abduction victims were children 12 and older. Now, why are teens abduction targets? Technology. The phone obsession we’re raised to have is the reason why.

Teenagers are easy targets because they tend to get distracted by every notification that illuminates their phone screen: Snapchat, Instagram, a text message. When you’re walking alone in public, try to stay off your phone and keep your head up. With your eyes glued to your phone, you may not notice if someone quietly approaches you.

There are also items you can purchase to protect yourself in dangerous situations. For example, my grandpa once gave me a portable alarm to go on my keys. Whenever I feel like I’m in danger or need help, I can simply pull on the chain, and it will make a loud, echoing noise that’ll catch people’s attention right away.

Another item that lots of people like to keep on their keychains for self defense is pepper spray. Pepper spray is a great thing to carry because it’ll protect you from your attacker, but the long-term effects on whoever gets sprayed won’t be damaging. 

It’s important for everyone to be aware of the precautions they can take to stay safe, and in some cases, the items they can purchase to provide inner security. Abductions can happen to anyone at anytime, but at the moment, teens are the easiest target.