Earlier this week, I attended a women’s safety class hosted by Jolene Jang. She brought in a representative from the Lynnwood, WA police Department to speak about different ways women can be just a little safer.

By no means am I paranoid person, but it is always good to learn new strategies, tactics and just general safety information and advice. After all, most people end up learning about safety on television. Whether it is by watching the news or shows like Bones or Law and Order, television plays a big part in educating (and miscommunicating) information to the masses. This was definitely proven during the class, when almost everyone who asked a question referenced something they saw or learned on tv.

So anyway, I wanted to share some of my “ah-ha” moments with you and hopefully you also can learn something new as well.

• Calling 9-1-1. As a kid, I was taught that you only call 9-1-1 in an extreme emergency. That is no longer true! Now, the police encourage you to call 9-1-1 even if you suspect something isn’t right.
  The example we were given was when a lady called 9-1-1 because a guy walked across her neighbor’s yard instead of going up the walk way. He then proceeded to knock on the door and turn around repeatedly. In this neighborhood, it was unheard of for people to not use someone’s walk way so the lady knew something wasn’t right. What she did not know was that the cops were a few blocks away looking for a guy that matched this guy’s description because he had robbed some houses. She didn’t know she would be hero of the day when she called, all she knew was that something wasn’t right.
• Do not scream “HELP.” If there is an emergency and you need help do not scream “HELP.” Most people do not want to get involved or will question whether it is a scam. Instead, scream “FIRE” because people are selfish and will be worried about their own stuff.
  
• If someone comes up behind you and acts or claims they have a gun, do not believe them. You have no proof that it is a real gun, if it is loaded, or that the person even knows how to use it. Also, most people would think that you should cooperate and listen to what the person says, when actually the opposite is true. If possible, now is the time to get away and survive.
  Here are some things you should do in that situation. Try to personalize it: tell the personal all about yourself and try to get their name, then repeat it over and over. You are trying to snap them out of the mental state they are in. Also, act psycho (go all out: quacking, not being able to stand, flapping your arms and legs—like a two year old throwing a tantrum), wet yourself and ladies tell them you have your period (I suspect this would only work if the culpret is a man). These are all things they will not want to deal with and do what you can to look them in the eyes. Criminals say all the time that the only people who look them in the eyes are cops and other criminals. Do all of this before you think about violent punches—as that is what they are expecting. If you do have to result to the physical aspect go for the eyes since that causes a natural uncontrollable reaction to move the hands to cover and protect the face.
  
• Carrying your purse. A purse that goes across your body is best, but otherwise on the shoulder and hold it in front of you. Also, when you get in the car, most of us throw our purse to the passenger side ;), put our seatbelts on, then lock the doors and start the car. Instead, lock the doors first, then put your purse down, seatbelt and so-on.
  We heard a story of a lady who had her purse stolen by another lady while she was seat belted into her car, purse on the passenger seat and starting her car. (Quite ingenious actually.)

So I hope these tips help you and you were able to learn something new as well.