For today’s Christmas offer, I wanted to give 8 safety tips. I planned to make a pretty flier, but realized it’s not about the presentation, it’s about the facts. So here are 8 safety tips I, a mom of two, wife, woman, traveler, etc. use. Renshi probably has his own guy tips, but these are mine. ❤
1) Keep your hands free. Yes, it’s a pain to use the cart when you have two bags. Yes, cute purses are meant to be carried and not worn cross body, but that’s what you do. Juggling too much in a public area can make you a target, one that’s unable to protect themselves.
2) Be aware. Keep looking around, stop checking your phone as you walk around the store, notice who is around, any strange behaviors, etc. I’m always looking around me, not just because I don’t want to run into people I know, but because I know the world’s not safe, even for my 44 year old self. I take note of people in cars, people watching me or others, our family has turned into kind of a game.
3) Bathrooms. When you can, go at home, or wait until you get to your safe destination. My kids have always had to go into the bathroom with me until they were able to protect themselves. Yes, my 13 year old went into the ladies room. His innocence was way more important to me than his embarrassment that he would get over. I imagine if Sam had to take Kyleigh to the bathroom at any time, he would cover her eyes and take her into a men’s stall. There are enough stories of people (men and women) trying to abduct kids for whatever reason that its a risk i was not and am not willing to take. Yes, it’s inconvenient, but it’s about being safe.
4) Plan. When we travel, we have safety plans in place. Kyleigh and I work together to strategize how we would handle different scenarios. We take note of people, we find exits, we sit in strategic places when possible. We discuss weapons we could use and how we would deal with different attacks. While they may sound frightening, it’s actually very empowering to strategize.
5) Memorize phone numbers. In today’s day of tiny computers in your hand at all times, memorizing numbers has not been necessary. Now, imagine, you or your child getting separated without a phone. Make sure you and your kids have a few numbers memorized and teach them how to use cell phones and regular phones because they work differently. If the unthinkable happened, your child is abducted and they escape, equip them with all the knowledge they need to get back to you.
6) Family password. I talk about this a lot. Our family has used it for years. It was recommended to me by a mentor many years ago and we immediately put it to work in the hotel room later that day. We have had the same password. It’s not one anyone would guess, but we all remember it. It has nothing to do with any of our personal information. We have used it to communicate when we needed someone else to pick up the kids, they asked the person the password, and they knew it was okay. When I lose my room key and knock on the door, Kyleigh will not open it without asking. When we have friends stay with us, we create a new one to use while they are there.
7) Keep an emergency kit in your car. Yes, water bottles are not meant to be kept in cars, blah, blah, blah, but if you are broken down or some weird end of the world phenomenon happens, you will not care about the plastic particles in that bottle. You’ll be happy you have it. And it gives you a vessel to collect more water. If you keep water tablets or one of those cool straws that filter the water in there, too. Wow, it’s priceless. Do some research and find a list that fits your needs and create a kit. I keep water bottles, protein powder, water purification tablets, a roll of toilet paper, a few granola bars, matches, blanket, tarp, bungee cords, parachute cord, air compressor, flashlight, extra batteries, bandaids, gauze, etc., a knife, scissors, sanitzer spray, advil and tylenol. I’m sure there’s more I have in there. I keep a tourniquet, special gauze and and ace bandage in my purse and quick access in my car (in the side pocket of the door).
😎 Get training. You lose what you don’t use. So that self defense course you took a few (or many) years ago probably won’t be at the forefront of your mind when you need it. Learn how to do basic first aid and how to use a tourniquet. Practice it on yourself and others. (Thanks VATA Training Center – Vulnerability Assessment & Threat Analysis) Practice whatever self defense and family protection method you choose regularly. Join a martial art or get some firearms training or better yet, do both!
9) HERE’S A BONUS, AND WHAT MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT, SO I HOPE YOU’RE STILL WITH ME.
Be Loud. Calm. Confident. Strong. You don’t have to be polite to everyone. If someone’s coming at me giving a religious flyer at the grocery store, they’re probably going to hear something like, “Stop! I’m not interested.” Loud. And then if they keep coming towards me, I get louder. “Stop. Stay away from me. I’m not interested.” They keep coming, I’m even louder but I’m taking a little more action and letting them know I’m willing to protect myself. Keep people a safe distance away from you. Arms out in front of you. They should never get too close, but that stance shows you need help.
Also, adult strangers should never need to ask kids for help. Nor should they ask women. I always tell them I don’t know. I don’t live here. And get away. Do not engage conversation.
There are a million tips, but I promised 8, so take action! Doing nothing is not going to help you stay safe! I want to hear what you’ve taken action on!
#scsmaaf #scsdojofamily #12daysofchristmas #personalsafety #scscares#takeaction #garyveechallenge