• Following some basic tips can help keep you safe from thieves and muggers.man image by kuhar from Fotolia.com
  
  Staying safe at home or on the streets is a goal for everyone. With the threat of crime in nearly every community, people must be aware of potential threats and how to minimize them as best they can. Following these tips to encourage personal protection may help those in potentially unsafe situations remain unharmed.
  
  

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

• Staying aware of your immediate surroundings is one of the most important factors in staying safe. When walking, watch people in the area and make eye contact when passing others. Walking with confidence and with purpose, knowing exactly where you're going, will make you a less desirable target. Take notice of anyone who appears to possibly be following you. Cross the street and see if they follow. Never take shortcuts through dark areas, and try to remain near busy streets that would not make suitable spots for a person to approach with bad intentions. Also, never go home if you suspect you're being followed. Go into a public place, such as an open store, and call 911 if necessary.
  
  

What To Do When Leaving Home

• When leaving home, it's a good idea to let someone, either a friend or family member, know where you're going and approximately when you'll be back. On the other hand, it's an extremely bad idea to leave a note on your door saying where you went or when you'll be back. This is an advertisement for an empty home where a person could break in and possibly wait for you inside until you return. In addition, never leave extra keys in obvious spots such as under doormats, under potted plants or in the mailbox. A person who wishes to gain access to the house will search these places first.
  
  

Have A Plan

• Plan ahead for a possible confrontation. Know how you'll react in different threatening situations, and rehearse your reactions in your mind. If attacked, it's a good idea to scream, which may scare the stranger off. Carry a whistle if you plan to be out walking the streets on a regular basis. A blast of a whistle when confronted by someone will likely convince him or her you aren't the person he or she wants to approach.
  
  

Trust Your Instincts

• Trusting your gut may be your best safety resource. Whether you're home, on the street or in any other place, don't forget to listen to the voice in your head. If a person makes you feel uncomfortable, even from a distance, leave the area and get away from them. If you feel uneasy in a certain place or about any situation, it's probably a good idea to leave or avoid the situation.