Is Your Daughter Attending College For The First Time?

Parents that have young women going to college for the first time, get nervous about their child's safety. But if you prepare your daughter with safety tips, they should be just fine!

The statistics are not encouraging; One in four college women report that they have survived rape or an attempt of rape during their lifetime. But there are ways to avoid dangerous situations around college campuses. Below you will find some tips, that you should pass along to your daughter before you send her off for her education.

Safety Tips For College Women
• Always take a Personal Alarm with you to notify campus police if you're in danger
• Avoid taking evening classes, if at all possible or ask for campus police escort
• When at parties, never drink from a punch bowl, it might have date rape pills in it
• Never drink from an open container or glass if you didn't see it get poured
• Always request for a closed or sealed beverage, if someone offers you a drink
• Never leave your beverage alone, keep it with you at all times, even if it's just water
• When meeting a stranger, introduce him, so your friends remember him

• If with a group of friends, always have a designated sober driver

• If you are alone at a bar and intoxicated, request a taxi, don't drink and drive

Besides the safety tips we also recommend that women or in this case, your daughter, always carry "Drink Guard" cards that we have on our website. Let her know that it's best to go to the ladies room and perform a quick test, rather than to become a victim of date rape. 

In Case You Didn't Know... April Is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and women are the number one victims of this crime in our country and around the world. Below are some safety tips for us ladies to prevent being a victim of sexual assault or rape.







TIPS FOR PERSONAL SAFETY

• Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, something is probably wrong.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Walk close to the curb, facing oncoming traffic.
• Carry bags close to your body.
• Look confident.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
• If you are being followed, head for a crowded place.
• If people start milling around you, it could a set-up for a mugging.
• Know yourself, how do you react in a crisis situation? Do you scream, cry, freeze? How would you defend yourself?
• Remember there is no right or wrong approach to dangerous situations.
• Show your anger, not your fear. A furious reaction often may stop an attack. Remember an attacker is looking for an easy victim. Yelling is always a good deterrent (a good choice is to yell FIRE) this will draw attention to those who do not want to get involved but may be concerned for their own safety and may come to help.
• If there are other people around, yell loudly enough to get their attention to what the assailant is doing.
• If you are alone and do not know anyone on the street or nearby, try calling a name out to make the attacker or assailant to believe you may be with someone. This may also help if you are alone at home.
• If someone has a weapon stay calm and wait for an opportunity. Weapons make the situation more dangerous and difficult, but there still may be something you can do about the situation.

Us women should share these safety tips to let others know about it, especially young women, who are more at risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault. Our society is not doing enough on preventing violence against women. Be it domestic violence or physical attacks.... For more information go to our Safety Tips, on our website.

Hotel Safety Tips for Traveling Business Women

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GORE-TEX® Products

Hotels are not only dangerous for maids, like in the recent IMF's managing director's alleged rape case, it's also dangerous for women traveling alone or business women who frequent different hotels. Business women usually travel by themselves and can be targets for sexual predators.

If you are a business woman that stays at hotels frequently or travels often, please read the following safety tips and let your co-workers know about them:

It is not necessary to open your hotel room door when someone knocks on it. You can always ask what they want or have them drop off what they want to deliver. If they say they can't leave it at the door, have them take it to the hotel's front desk.

Avoid having detailed conversation with strangers you meet at the lobby. Sometimes that's where predators hang out, to befriend future victims.

If attending a convention, wear your name badge only at the convention and nowhere else. Don't advertise where you are staying and give out your name to everybody who passes by you!

Never let anyone into your hotel room that you don't know.

Need an alcoholic drink to take the stress off? It is best to have the front desk bring it up to your room. Request that the person delivering it, be a woman. If you prefer going to the hotel bar, make sure you see the bartender pour your drink and always keep an eye on your drink. If you are at a table, make sure the waiter or waitress pours it in front of you or request a closed container when ordering for example, a beer or for that matter any beverage!

When traveling or staying at a hotel, it is important to also carry with you some sort of self defense product besides practicing safety tips. Best thing is a personal alarm (airports won't confiscate them). One example is the Personal Travel Alarm. This alarm has a motion sensor which you can place on your hotel room door knob. If someone moves the door knob, it will alert you! If placed on your briefcase when you can't keep an eye on it and someone moves it, you will also be alerted! Another nice defense product you can select is the Door Stop Alarm. It is similar to those old rubber door stops but it also has an alarm that can wake you up besides not allowing intruders to get in.

These safety tips are not just for business women staying at hotels, but also when women are in airports, riding trains, in subways or at bus stations!

Safety Tips for Young Women

Yes, for young women, because us older ones already learned from our mistakes and should pass it on to our daughters, younger friends and relatives. If you consider yourself an "older gal", you might consider these safety tips to be just common sense. But what is common sense to you, might not be to young women who are now entering into our society and are inexperienced in the ways of this crime infested world. So keep this in mind and pass it on to any young woman you might come across or even to your own daughter!

Photo by Michał Sacharewicz

Safety Tips for Preventing Crime

• Avoid dark and empty places, like alleys.
• Avoid walking alone at night, have someone you know accompany you.
• Never drink from an opened container at bars or parties. Get your own drink and keep an eye on your drink. 
• Never accept a ride from a stranger. Your mom told you this and it holds true for preventing crime as an adult too.
• Meet someone new? Introduce him to your friends. Mention his hair color or eyes, any features that can be remembered by your friends. This can be crucial information if a crime is committed.
• No security system... but have a car? Keep your car alarm by your nightstand. If you hear something suspicious, let your car alarm double as a home alarm. The whole neighborhood will be listening! (First test your alarm from your bedroom, to make sure it reaches your car.)
• Look around and inside your parked car, before entering it.
• If you live in an apartment complex:  Check your mail in a well lit area or wait till in the morning to check it.  Take your trash out at night if the area is well lit or wait until the morning.  If you have a dog, take him or her with you for your nightly tasks. Good exercise for your pet too!
• If you take public transportation, make friends with women that you usually see on a regular basis. This makes for a good buddy system.
• Always take a self defense product with you when you are out and about!

For more safety tips that young women could benefit from, click here.

Halloween Safety Tips for Children & Adults

It's getting close to Halloween again! Kids are getting excited and grownups are planing parties. We all have fun and eat sweets during and long after Halloween is over!

Like all social events, there are always some concerns. Halloween, unfortunately carries with it some extra dangers. The fact that most people conceal their identity by wearing masks or makeup, makes it even more worrisome. Below we included some Halloween safety tips for children and adults:

Safety tips for Trick or Treating Children

• Children should never enter the house or car of a stranger to get treats
• Never eat treats that are unwrapped or any kind of fruit
• Wear bright clothes or carry a flashlight so cars can see you
• Avoid porches or homes that are dark
• Take a personal alarm or cell phone, in case you are in danger
• Go trick or treating in groups, preferably w/ adult supervision

Safety tips for Partying Adults

• Always get your own drink at a party
• Never take your eyes off of your drink
• Never pour yourself a drink from an open container such as a punch bowl
• Never accept a drink from someone you don't know, unless it is sealed
• Introduce a person you just met, to your friends
• Never leave the party with a person you just met
• When leaving, always have a known designated adult, sober driver or call a taxi
• Always carry a self defense weapon, such as pepper spray, to a party or nightclub

There you have it. Just remember to follow your instincts; if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Not a year goes by when you don't hear in the news that someone was robbed or assaulted around the Holidays. Most of the time it happens in shopping center or mall parking lots! What you don't hear are suggestions on how to avoid these types of crime. Below are a few safety tips to keep in mind while you go shopping this Holiday season.

Shopping Safety Tips

• Try to go shopping during daylight hours. If you have to shop at night, try taking a friend or relative with you.
• If you go shopping at night or know it will be dark when your done shopping, try to park your car in a well lit area and not behind bushes or where your car is obstructed from plain site.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or restraining clothes. You should be comfortable while shopping and able to move quickly if need be.
• Try not to use large amounts of cash, use credit cards or checks if possible.
• Keep your money or credit card in your front pocket instead of a purse or wallet.
• If you carry a wallet or purse, be very aware of possible pick-pockets.
• Try not to do all your shopping on one trip, excessive amounts of shopping bags are very hard to manipulate and keep track of.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason, even if it is to hand you a flyer. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
• If it gets dark outside when you are done shopping, try to get an escort or security guard from the store to walk you to your car. If this is not possible carry a self defense product with you and have it ready when you go toward your car.

Keep these safety tips in mind throughout the the whole year and not just while shopping this Holiday season.

Holiday Home Safety Tips

Many people go away for the Holidays, to find out that their home had been burglarized while they were gone. The Holiday season is a robber's favorite time of the year. Many homeowners are away and a robber knows this by observing their house. Read the following safety tips if you plan to leave your home for the Holidays.

Home Safety Tips

• Never leave your house pitch dark, keep some lights on at night by purchasing digital timers that will turn on or off your lamps or TV. This makes it look like someone is home. Digital timers are programmable and can store up to 20 programs. Digital timers are also handy for exterior house lights or garden decoration.
• If you have a home alarm, don't forget to turn it on before you leave.
• If possible get a house sitter to keep an eye on your house and turn some lights on and off at night. They can also take care of your newspaper deliveries and mail. If you have a home alarm, show them how to work it.
• If you can't get a house sitter, ask a dependable neighbor to get your mail or newspaper deliveries or have your post office or newspaper delivery paused until you get back.

These safety tips are good all year round, not just for the Holidays. Always keep your home safe!

Holiday Party Safety Tips

We are getting closer to that special time of the year when people get closer together and share their love and friendship with each other. This includes parties, dinners and an overall joyful experience for the most part. But what about the times when it isn't so joyful? What about the time when someone drinks too much or someone gets into an unwanted situation? Below you will find some handy tips to keep in mind so your Holiday can be safe and enjoyable.

Party Safety Tips
It's not a party if there is no drinking! Obviously the main rule to remember is to not drink and drive! But also keep in mind this Holiday that with all the hoopla, some people like to take advantage of others. A big concern, is someone putting something in your drink that can harm or impair your judgement or even worst, make you unconscious. Below are some safety tips to remember when you are at a party or nightclub.

• Never get a drink from the punch bowl.
• Accept drinks that are from other people, waitresses or waiters only if they are sealed or in closed containers.
• If getting your drink from the bartender, keep an eye on him or her until they give you your drink.
• While you are interacting with others, always keep an eye on your opened drink.
• Have a designated sober driver picked from your group before you go out together for drinks.
• If you are going to a party alone and consume alcohol, call a taxi cab or phone someone you know that is not drinking to take you home. You can also use public transportation or stay at a hotel close by overnight.
• If you are walking home alone, avoid going through dark pathways and try to choose places where there are other people around. It's always good to carry a self defense weapon such as pepper spray or a stun gun.

Of course these safety tips are not only good during the Holidays, but all year round! Enjoy the season safely!

Safety Tips for College Women

Rape or sexual assaults against college women is a huge problem today. Information from reliable sources have disclosed alarming statistics. One study done by researchers at RTI International, Bowling Green State University, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which was released in June, 2009, is of particular concern. The study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The study showed that almost 20 percent of undergraduate women were sexually assaulted during their time in college. Alcohol or drugs played a factor as well. Statistics also showed that 11 percent of college women were assaulted when they were incapacitated and unable to give consent. Freshmen and sophomore women where targeted more than their junior and senior classmates for sexual assaults while they were under the influence of alcohol or any other drug. Other similar findings were announced by The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), which found that college women were 4 times more likely to be sexually assaulted or raped than other women in society.

With all these sexual assault statistics, it's no wonder that women in college need to follow some safety tips while on campus. If you are a woman planning to attend college or a parent of a student, you should keep in mind that prevention is number one! Please make sure that you follow the basic self defense or safety tips shown below or if you are a parent, inform your daughter about them.

• Keep the college police number handy, call them if you need an escort
• Most colleges offer self defense classes, enroll in one
• Buddy system; try not to walk alone, especially during the night
• At parties:
  - Keep your eye on your drink,
  don't leave it unattended
  - Never drink out of the punch bowl
  - Always get your own drink,
  never have others get it for you
• Carry some sort of self defense product, such as a pepper spray or a stun gun
• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Let your fellow students know about these safety tips

It is common sense to follow these tips, just as it is to wear a seat belt when you drive. It's always better to be informed and prepared than to be careless and become a victim.

Apartment Safety Tips for Single Women

As a woman that has lived in apartment complexes for many years, I thought I would share some safety tips for apartment living.

An apartment complex is like a small town where you have your friends, people whose faces just look familiar and some people that are complete strangers. There are places in the complex where you are more likely to gather with others. Some of these areas are; the office for the apartments, the club house, the laundry room, the pool/tennis courts area, the mailboxes section and the trash dumping area. Below is a breakdown of the different locations and the precautions you might consider:

Office Area
This is usually the safest place of the complex because there usually is more than one person present. It is where some checks are dropped off by renters or someone is complaining about their kitchen sink, etc. You still need to keep your guard up, in case someone for some reason gets angry, but usually the anger is targeted toward the office employee.

Mailbox Area
This area is one of the most dangerous and you should always keep your guard up! Criminals keep a close eye on mailbox sections of an apartment complex. Why? Because people are pretty predictable as to when they check their mail. Attackers like the fact that if they observe you for a few days, they can pretty much predict when you are going to check your mailbox. Usually people go to this section when they drive home from work. When you approach your mailbox, look around you. If there are a few people present, it is safer, but if you are the only one there, please be very cautious, especially at night. Always prepare your self defense product and have it in your hand and prepared to be used, prior to approaching the mailbox area.

Club House Area
Some complexes have club houses to rent them out for parties, but others have indoor recreational things such as pool and ping pong tables, pin ball machines, video games etc. Club houses can be very popular, especially on the weekends and in the evenings. Many times you will encounter people who are drinking alcoholic beverages that they brought from their apartment. It is always wise to go to club houses with a friend. Once in a while you will encounter a sore looser at a card game, for example, that can become violent and take it out on whomever is nearby. If you meet a new person, be careful on giving out your apartment number. Be aware also if someone is following you back to your apartment. If you are in fear of being followed, go to a friend's apartment, if you know they are home.

Tennis Court or Pool Area
The tennis court is pretty safe because you usually are accompanied by a tennis partner. The pool area is also pretty safe since it is very open and everyone is in plain site. Even when you are alone, an attacker will avoid an area that many people can see easily. Just make sure that when you leave the pool area, you prepare your self defense product ahead of time, prior to walking back to your apartment. This is important, because, since you are in plain site, that also means that a potential attacker or stalker could have also been looking at you. Keep in mind, that if you are going to the pool on a regular basis, try to go at different times of the day. This will make your schedule less predictable. If you are alone, try NOT to go at night.

Laundry Room Area
Here is another section of an apartment complex that is very dangerous. For one, it is noisy because of the machines. This noise can easily cover up someones scream or cry for help. For some reason, people feel they need to chat with whomever else is doing laundry. This can be a great tool for an assailant to get more information from you that you shouldn't have given to him in the first place! Be careful what you tell a complete stranger. Even if he is the cutest guy, and my, so meticulous with his neatly folded laundry! Impressive right? NO! Potential attackers play a caring role to make you feel comfortable and therefore letting your guard down. Again in this situation make sure you have a self defense product readily available.

Trash Dump Area
This area is of much concern because most people dump their trash at night, after dinner. If you don't want to wait until morning, please be very careful about this. If your trash dump area is dark, ask the apartment complex manager to install some kind of lighting around it. This may prove to be difficult but it is worth a try. You might want to consider asking a few female friends, that live there, to join in your request. Always take your self defense product with you and prepare it to be used. Always move cautiously toward the site and look around carefully as you approach. If you see someone that you do not recognize near it, maybe leaning against their car or smoking... Just turn around and go back home. You can always try later. It is better to be cautious than hurt or killed. If your trash is heavy, just set it down somewhere temporarily, where you can pick it up later.

If you want to include more helpful tips, please add your comment on this post!

Party Safety Tips

As summer approaches many people begin to think about barbeques and parties. However, they are not thinking about the danger that could be involved when people get together and do what naturally comes with this summer pastime… the consumption of alcohol. The most important tip we can offer for party safety is to be aware of the danger signs and plot an escape route. If you have to drink, remember, alcohol can affect your ability to make decisions. Manage how much you consume and look out for your friends. Here are a few safety tips you should familiarize yourself with when going to or throwing your own party.

Going To A Party? Remember these tips!

• Always get your own drink or watch it being poured.
  
• Don't leave your drink unattended and do not drink or taste anyone else's drink.
  
• Don't accept drinks from anyone else.
  
• Dispose of your drink if you think it tastes odd. If you just leave it, someone else may drink it.
  Drugs used to spike drinks can be colorless, tasteless and odorless, so you might not realize that something has been added to your drink.
• If your friend’s behavior is out of character, or they seem too "out of it" for what they have had, their drink might have been spiked.
  
• Watch out for your friends and make sure they are making safe decisions.
• If your friend needs to sober up check to see if they are alone, or is someone with them and are they safe.
• Encourage people who are drunk to drink water, which will help lessen the concentration of the alcohol in their system or eat something. Keep an eye on them and do not let them leave the party with their car keys.
• If you are going home with someone you do not know too well, introduce them to your friends before you leave.

Throwing A Party? Keep Your Guests Safe!

• Create a safe atmosphere. If you know that someone is harassing or intimidating someone else, then do something about it by letting them know you are watching, ask the person to stop or leave, find a safe place for the victim and do not be afraid to call 911.
• Know whom you have invited to the party and plan what you will do if someone crashes it.
• Provide food and drink spacers, such as water, soft drinks, or juice.
• Keep an eye on your guests. Make sure they are safe and having a good time.
• Offer to call a taxi for your guests and make note of the taxi company you’ve called.

Please follow these and other simple safety tips. Also consider taking a self defense product, especially if you don't know most of the people attending the party. Enjoy your summer!