By Briana Booker

As a woman you should always be prepared to protect yourself when you are out on the town with your girlfriends, co-workers ,mate or alone. The world can be a cold and dangerous place, if you are at the wrong place at the wrong time.

My friend Sherryn Daniel, a superb blogger, wrote on her blog Sherryn Daniel’s Blog a list on dangerous areas in Washington,D.C and Baltimore. Read the list here .

I have lived in both D.C (North West D.C and Silver Spring,MD) and Baltimore.  I know that in both poor and affluent areas there could be danger lurking around the corner. For example, I lived in a very prestigious area of North West D.C and MS 13 Gang members were riding around trying to abduct college students.

Georgetown neighborhood- too sloppy off of drinks and you could be raped by a frat boy. As I have said, crime exists anywhere. Do not let a neighborhood’s reputation or appearance deceive you.

Here are some common crimes that happen:

• Armed Robbery
• Carjacking
• Bicycle Theft
• Domestic Violence
• Burglary
• Rape

As a rule of thumb, follow safety measures you would follow for one area for every area. Here are just a few actions and items I recommend for you to have to protect yourself for specific scenarios:

Safety Tips for Driving

• If you are driving around town, have a steering wheel club-lock to lock up the steering wheel of your car. My significant other makes fun of me doing it…but I know crime exist every where. I was in Fredrick Maryland, near Northbend and only two weeks before a woman was car jacked. This happened in a community considered “safe”.
• Keep your doors locked at all times. Once you get in that car, lock the doors. Keep your windows up while driving at night.
• Store your valuables in the trunk and out of sight when driving.
• Never display maps when driving. It is a signal you are unfamiliar with the area. Always do your best to plan your route in advance.
• Do your best to avoid being stranded by keeping your gas tank at the least, half-full. Try not to gas up your car in unfamiliar areas.

Safety Tips for Walking

• Have something sharp in your pockets or purse (keys are fine). Increase your awareness in places you are most vulnerable such as walking at night in the dark, alone (it is best to travel in groups).
• Always prepare your outing or routine with your safety in mind. Are there shrubs near by where someone can hide? Are there woods or dark alleys nearby? Is the area well lit? These are all things you should keep in mind.
• Carry your purse clasp-side inward. Keep it close to your body where your elbow bends. Carry it like a football.
• If you do not like purses, always carry your wallet inside a jacket pocket or in your front pocket. Never put it in your rear.
• Be careful of pick pockets and do not keep a bunch of cash or valuables on you, especially during the holidays.
• If you feel you are being followed head to open and populated places.
• Avoid texting or calling someone while walking. It is a huge distraction.

Home Safety Tips

• Always have your keys out and ready to open your front door.
• Do your best to have your front and rear doors well lit( motion sensing lights are wonderful).
• When living in an apartment, lock the door right after opening it.
• Never let a stranger in your home when they ask to make a phone call. Say no and offer to make the call for them.
• If you arrive home and think there has been a burglary, do not enter. Call 911 right away.

Party Nightlife

• Try not to drink excessively because criminals love drunken targets.
• Keep money invisible. Flashing large amounts signals you want to be robbed.
• Never talk loudly about where you are going next. Criminals may decide to wait for you there and prey on you.
• If you need a cab, call for one rather than flag down one.

And above all, always tell someone you trust (a parent, sibling or best friend), where you are going and when the person should expect you to be back.

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