Here are some self defence tips for avoiding trouble. If anybody has some more then please add to the list and tell me what you think.
- Number 1 rule – Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Always walk with confidence and never mope around with your head down, this will make you less of a target for bullies. Bullies are like wolves – they often hunt in packs and only prey on the weak so if you walk around with confidence then you will not appear weak.
- When dealing with a potential threat or persistent pest always speak in a firm confident voice, especially if you have to say no. This lets the other person know that you are not afraid and mean business.
- While walking turn around and look behind you occasionally – this makes it harder for anyone to sneak up on you. Try not to walk alone at night. Avoid walking in dark places such as poorly lit streets, alleyways or paths edged by tall thick bushes. In these places it is easy to be surprised by someone jumping out at you.
- If you think you are being followed do not go home instead go to a crowded public place or a police station. If you go home then the person following you will find out where you live.
- Wear long hair up or just have short hair as long hair is easy for someone to grab, especially from behind.
- When choosing clothes always pick clothes that do not restrict your movement – tight jeans that do not allow you to raise your knee up to your waist will severely limit your kicking ability. Choose a bow tie or clip- on neck tie rather than a regular neck tie as a regular neck tie gives a potential attacker a convenient tool to strangle you with. Wear quiet shoes i.e. soft soled running shoes so if you have to run and hide you can do so quietly.
- Carry a mobile phone with you whenever you go out so that you can call for help if needed.
- When asking for directions always choose carefully who you ask – for instance do not go up and ask bunch of teenagers, as one unfortunate tourist did one day and got beaten up.
- When using the ATM turn around on occasion and look behind you. This lets any potential muggers know that you are aware and vigilant. If you think you are in danger then cancel your transaction and walk away. After withdrawing money put it away as quickly as practical – never advertise to potential muggers that you have lots of money to steal by counting your money out in the open for all to see.
- Always park your car in a well lit non-isolated parking space. When approaching your car have your key in your hand so that you donÂ’t have to fumble around for them in an emergency and always check the back seat for intruders before you get in.
- Never pick up hitchhikers, especially at night, as you don’t know who you are picking up – they could be bad people or they could have others lying in wait to steal your car.
- When entering a public building such as a restaurant or pub always take note of the entrances and exits so that you can make a quick escape if necessary. Look around the room and try to size up the people there for potential threats when you first arrive. If you have to sit at a booth try to sit on the outside so that you can easily get out if attacked or threatened, this also applies to busses and trains. If you are threatened and have to leave get a friend or one of the staff to distract the person so that you can leave peacefully.
- At home always keep your doors and windows locked when practical. Roller shutters are a good idea for home security – they make your home harder to break into. Keep all entrances well lit to shine the light on any potential intruders. Avoid allowing shrubbery to grow too high outside your windows as this gives prowlers a convenient hiding place.
- Get a dog – large, loud and mean looking are good qualities to look for in a dog. This helps to keep burglars away. Even if your dog is friendly to everyone they still make noise when someone approaches your home. Dogs have great hearing and can serve as an early warning system for prowlers.
- If you live alone do not advertise that fact by using your first name, Mrs, Ms, Miss or Mr on your letterbox or house or in the phonebook and never let strangers know that you are home alone. This gives burglars the idea that your house is an easy target until they find out the hard way that you know martial arts.
- Never leave a key under your doormat, in the letterbox, under a rock or any other place that might be found by the wrong person – they can use it to gain easy access to your home. If you come home and find someone in your house do not go inside, instead call the police.
- When you have just made an expensive new purchase e.g. Plasma TV, do not leave the empty box outside in your front yard for all to see as this is an advertisement to a burglar that you have something good for them to steal.
- Use a touch lamp or one that turns on by clapping in your bedroom so if someone breaks into your house in the middle of the night you are not fumbling around looking for the on switch.
- When professionals, such as electricians, installers and repairmen, come to your door always check and verify their credentials before letting them in to your house.
- Always be on good terms with your neighbors so that you can go to them for help if necessary and also so that they do not think you are just a crazy stranger trying to gain access to their house.
- When all else fails remember your martial arts training.
