Retrain Your Brain To Seek Out Potential Weak Spots For Your Own Self-Defense

Not every woman has "street smarts." Street smarts means the ability to recognize potential trouble spots and being prepared for the unexpected, whether it is a fumbling pass by a drunk walking down the street or an attacker who wants your purse or worse, to rape you. Being on guard is what basically needs to happen to ensure your own safety when you are out and about. If you have problems identifying and remember trouble spots, you will have to retrain your brain to seek out these potential weak spots in order to take control of your own self defense.

Being innocent and sheltered is no excuse for not understanding the dangers for women. If you truly have a problem recognizing vulnerable areas of security in your life, talk with law enforcement officials and ask for some advice in identifying trouble areas or take a self defense class which will outline these areas. For many attacks on women, they are made in public places like parking garages, parks, shopping centers and grocery stores – areas where ladies are likely to be isolated, even if only temporarily.

Until you are able to get some professional advice from law enforcement or through a class, here are some areas to consider that will help you be less of a victim and more in charge of your own safety and security:

1. Just remember that you are more important than your vehicle. Just because you may have an expensive car or one that you do not wanted dinged, you should not put yourself at risk by parking far away from your destination. If at all possible, even if there are no front parking spots, drive around until one opens up. Your safety is more important than a scratch on your car. If you have a long walk from your car to a store, there is plenty of opportunity for an attacker to confront you.

2. Plan ahead when you are parking. If you know that you will not be leaving until after sundown, check the area for street lamps and potential hiding places for an attacker. Always park under a well-lit area as criminals hate being in the light; this would give you an opportunity to identify them.

3. If you have calls to make to let someone know you will be late or you are just shooting the breeze, do it in the safety of indoors. Do not wait to start dialing that cell phone for when you are walking outside to your car or any place else. The call will distract you from the dangers that could be lurking in the shadows, behind a car or around the corner. You need all your senses about you.

4. Hide your valuables. Some women may be held by an attacker for the jewelry they wear or even for the potential of cash and credit cards in the purse. While no one is saying you have to dress like a hobo, do not call a lot of attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewelry or flashing cash. Save extravagant displays for safe areas. Also, keep valuable hidden from view in your car. Store your laptop, purse, camera, shopping bags and other goodies in the trunk of your car or leave what you can at home. If a criminal does not see it, they cannot be tempted by it.

Many safety tips are easy to employ as long as you recognize the dangers for women. Project an air of confidence out in public so that criminals will not think you are easy prey. Learn to identify problem areas and take a self defense class if possible so that safety becomes second habit for you rather than the exception to the rule.