2. If a robber demands your purse, wallet or any other item, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you. It's likely that he's more interested in the goods and will reach for the items before he reaches you.   TOSS, THEN RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION! 

3. Don't use your car as a place to sit, eat, work, chat on the phone, etc. in a parking lot or in any deserted area.   Predators will be watching you and, given the opportunity, can slide into the car and  threaten you with a gun or a knife.  If you must sit in the car, LOCK THE DOORS and KEEP THE WINDOWS SHUT. Do not open them for anyone. 

4.  Before entering your car, look in the back seat and the passenger side before you get into your car (predators can hide in the back seat). As soon as you know it's safe, get in, lock the doors, and leave.

5.  If you are held at knife or gunpoint in your car, DO NOT DRIVE OFF!!!  Instead, gun the engine and speed into anything you see, even if it wrecks your car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better to destroy a car than having your body found floating in the water or decomposing in a remote location.

6.   If you are ever locked into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out through the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everyone else will. You can help to save your own life this way.

7. IN PARKING LOTS & GARAGES:   If you are parked next to a big SUV or van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the victims try to get into their cars. If you see anyone sitting alone in the car next to yours, in the seat nearest your passenger door, be very cautious--if something seems "wrong," trust your instincts and either walk away until there are other people near your car, or tell a guard/policeman that you don't feel safe and ask him to walk escort you to your car.   Don't worry that you might sound afraid or silly--it is far better to be safe than sorry, and far better to be overly cautious, than dead! 

8.  Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells make the perfect crime spot and they are easy places for predators to hide. This is especially true at night.  If you are entering an elevator with just one other person in it, trust your instincts. If it doesn't seem safe, wait for the next one.  If you are already in an elevator and someone enters the car who seems "unsafe," trust your instincts and get out at the next floor (as long as it isn't deserted).  If you have called the elevator and there's just one other person in the car who seems "unsafe," don't get in--wait for the next car.   If you are in an elevator, alone, and another person gets who makes you feel uncomfortable, don't feel as though you must stick out the ride. Get out at the next floor that isn't deserted.

9.  If you are confronted in a stairwell,  ALWAYS RUN!  The predator has much less of a chance of hitting you  (you're now a running target)  and even if he makes contact, he's less likely to hit a vital organ.  RUN! RUN! RUN! (a zig-zag pattern is best if you can manage it). 

10.  DO NOT OPEN YOUR WINDOWS OR DOORS (car or home) for anyone.  If you are in your car in a deserted place-- your kindness may end your life!  It is human nature to be sympathetic, but you cannot afford to be! The Boston strangler was a good looking, educated, charming man who won the confidence of unsuspecting women and then strangled them--often with their own stockings. Ted Bundy was also good looking and well spoken. He walked with a limp and often asked for "help" to get into his car, which is when the abducted his next victim.   Predators are devious. They'll do anything they can to win your trust, even using props like cute puppies and babies.  If you are approached, offer to call the police, but whatever you do, DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR!  If you realize that you are being threatened, call 911 immediately.

11.  Keys are a great weapon so keep them in your hand at all times, especially if you're driving, or in a deserted place, or it's night.   A key jabbed into an attacker's eye is especially effective. Don't be afraid to hurt him--he's intent on hurting you!! Keeping your keys in your hand, ready to open the door and lock it behind you (instead of fishing for them in your purse, with your head down) can save your life.

12.  If you're going anywhere that might be "iffy," try not to go alone. If you must, bring a working cell phone and tell someone where you're going before you start out. Arrange to call them and check in at a specific time. if you don't call, then they can try and track you down and/or or call the authorities for help.

13.  Don't ever feel "silly" about being cautious. Again, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS and BE ALERT AT ALL TIMES. It's better to be cautious, and stay alive, than be careless, and end up dead.  

*do you have a safety tip you'd like to share? By doing so, you might help save a life. Send tips to: advicesisters@advicesisters.net  

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