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Safewise - Ideas for your safety

Posted on Mon, 19 July 2004 21:48:53

Everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe and this carries with it the responsibility not to make others feel unsafe, threatened or in danger.

No one can make you safe, nor can you be frightened into being safe, nor can you be expected to know what to do in an emergency. Only you can help yourself! However we can give you some ideas.

A - Going out on your own

Carry your keys, travel card and phone card in your pocket, so you can give up your handbag and escape quickly if necessary
Whenever you are going out, particularly if you are meeting someone new, leave details of where you are going, who are meeting and when you expect to return.
Plan how you are going to get home, e.g. take the number of a reputable taxi firm and have enough money to pay for it.
Alcohol and drugs stop you being in control. If you are going to drink know your limits.
To avoid a drink being spiked, try not to leave your glass unattended.
If you feel ill or light-headed, tell the barman/waiter straight away and ask for a taxi to take you home.
If you do meet a problem, your primary aim is to get away as fast as you can.
Carry a personal alarm and know how to use it to shock and disorientate an assailant so that you can get away.
Everyone has a right to say �no�. However it�s worth planning ahead and is most effective if you say �no� to the request not the person. For instance:

�It�s good of you to ask me but I�ve already got a date�
�Sorry, my father has booked a taxi for me�
�I�m afraid I�ve got a cold coming on. I feel awful. I want to go home as soon as possible. Sorry etc.�
Trust your instincts � they are there to warn you of danger.

B - When you go out clubbing with a group

You can feel more confident and safe. However being with a group can lead to aggression and conflict if you are not in control.

Don�t let your friends pressure you into stupid or offensive behaviour.
If you see another group which might cause trouble, avoid confrontation. Keep cool!
If provoked, remember the winner is always the one who does not respond aggressively.
If necessary, move to a more public area.
Plan ahead; let someone know where you are going and maybe going on to.
Organise transport home before you leave. If your plans change, work out a new way to get home safely.
Stay as a group. Don�t split up, or leave someone to get home alone.
Put money aside for the journey home � don�t spend it on something else.
If you know you will be home later than you planned, let someone know.

C - If you feel your safely is threatened

Move away from the situation, to a public place if possible.
Keep cool, breathe out, if you stay in control you are more likely to be safe.
Don�t try to fight or be a hero. Hand over your wallet or bag if asked.
Call 999 (it�s free) and ask for the police. Give them the information they ask for and stay on the line.
Phone home or someone you know and tell them you are OK.

D - Enjoying worldwide travel safely

There is no doubt that effectively planned and prepared for international travel can be both an education and a challenging experience which can open your mind to both the diversity and common interests shared by countries and people across the world.

However some things can go wrong; not just the media headline cases but the unreported incidents such as theft, health problems, breaches of political or cultural codes, or the fortunate �near miss�.

Our research on personal safety abroad has highlighted the major cause of problems as being misunderstanding or ignorance of the differences between cultures. Social relations, food, dress, body language, hospitality, photography, among other factors, all need to be considered if insensitive behaviour, and sometimes potentially dangerous situations, are to be avoided.

E - WorldWise tips to enjoy safer travel abroad

�Know before you go� and prepare: read World Wise � Your Passport to Safer Travel. Download from the World Wise website up to date information on the countries you are visiting.
Don�t presume that it won�t happen to you � be aware and alert to your surroundings and ready for action if necessary.
To avoid offending people, be aware of cultural differences.
Dress comfortably and conservatively; avoid exposing your body.
Never hitch hike.
Carry a copy of your passport, birth certificate, travel insurance documents and other important documents separate from their originals.
Keep your documents � and money � close to your body.
Avoid drugs and obey the law of the country you are visiting.
Keep someone informed of your travel arrangements.

For ease of remembering safety principals, it can be helpful to work to the word PLAN.

P for Planning ahead - Where am I going? - How will I return?

L for Letting someone know where you are

A for being Aware, of potential problems and answers

N is a reminder Never to be over confident. Be alert and remember that feeling ill or light headed can stop you being in control. Both drugs and alcohol are bound to affect your behaviour.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust
The Leading Authority for Personal Safety

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust
National Centre for Personal Safety
Hampton House
20 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TJ

Tel: 020 7091 0014

Fax: 020 7091 0015

E-mail: info@suzylamplugh.org

Website: www.suzylamplugh.org

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