We are living in a country where rapes and murders are daily incidents. The safety of women must be given high priority in such an environment. There has been an increase in the number of women working professionals. But the risk of safety always stays in the back of the mind of women. Women are conquering the world, why must the fear of safety hold them back? Keeping this in mind, we have compiled 10 Best Safety Tips For Working Women.
1. Carry Safety Tools
Pepper spray and foldable knives are one of the best and easy-to-carry safety tools for women. Keep them in a hand’s reach in your bag. The sense of security will make you more confident in handling a formidable situation. If you are not carrying a purse, carry a foldable knife in your pocket. Your safety is way more important than the latest trendy fashion of small jeans pockets.
2. Avoid Late-Night Travels by Public Transport
If you are having to do a night shift, ask for a pick-up and drop facility. If your company does not have this facility, have a conversation with your manager. This facility is important for all the employees, not just women. It means that the company is taking responsibility for the safety of its employees until they reach home. By all means, avoid traveling on an empty bus or roadside cabs. If public transport is necessary, board a crowded bus or book a cab online. However, don’t forget to share the number of the vehicle you board with someone trusted.
3. Learn Self-Defense
You would be shocked to know that around 15-20% of people are not affected by pepper spray. Even after having yourself equipped with safety tools, it is important to know how to defend yourself at the time of adversity. There are many boot-camps and seminars that conduct training sessions in this regard. Enroll in one today! It will come handy more than you can imagine. After all, you are the first one who has to protect yourself.
4. Check the Company’s Harassment Policy
Every company has a harassment policy. Get familiar with it in the initial days itself. Know the person whom you’ll have to contact in case of emergencies. If the company does not have a strict harassment policy, it needs to be brought to the attention of the HR. Strict policies keep the predators in check and give women and men the freedom and courage to speak up and fight.
5. Be Aware
This is one of the most crucial safety tips. Often, we get drifted away and consumed by our own thoughts and lose the touch of our surroundings. Make it a habit to check your surroundings and what’s going on. When you enter a room, scrutinize it from left to right. Women who are not aware and are lost in themselves make the easiest prey for attackers. An attacker would think twice before coming at you if he sees that you are aware. It’s not paranoia, its awareness!
6. Right to Fight
Many women do not fight for their rights. They hold themselves back fearing the consequences. But if you are being assaulted or harassed by anyone using any means, you have all the rights in the world to fight for yourself. Do not hold back, go ahead and bust ’em!
7. Download Safety Apps
Safety applications are one of the safety tools that are extremely useful. Apps such as ‘Smart24x7’, ‘bSafe’, and ‘My Safetipin’ will back you up in times of emergency. My safetipin, for instance, is a map-based app that will make your navigation safe and easy. It shows you the safety rating of a location and lets you share your location with your loved ones. Smart24x7 is linked to various police stations. On pressing the ‘PANIC’ button, it will send an alert to the emergency numbers you have put in along with the police. bSafe is another application which has tons of useful features. Some of them are bSafe alarm, Follow Me, Fake Call, and Timer Alarm.
8. Get Off Your Phone
Being on the phone all the time can divide your attention and will not let you be aware of your surroundings. Do not use the phone all the time while on the road. It will help you pay attention to the traffic and let you safely reach your destination. Though not being on the phone is recommended, do keep your phone close to you so you can call for help when needed.
9. Trust Your Gut
Your instincts are often right. When you feel that the dark street is not safe to walk in – don’t. Change your lanes and find some light. Trusting your instincts or sixth sense will keep you out of dangerous situations mostly. Intuition is a gift that women possess, it is a powerful subconscious insight. Learn to use it.
10. Lock The Door
Make it a habit to lock the door immediately. After getting in your car or the restroom, lock the door first and then go about your work. Attackers often wait till you get comfortable and are making the mistake of thinking that you are safe.
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