Your parents may give you more responsibilities and the chance to spend more time with your friends. You may find that you are in new or different social situations that are in unfamiliar neighborhoods. You now have the important job of making more decisions for yourself and keeping yourself safe. If you forget about your safety, your fun can quickly turn into danger. Keep these 5 tips in mind when you are in the street –
Walking alone
Stay alert
Walk confidently and look at where you’re going. Avoid distractions – don’t listen to music on your headset or scroll content on your mobile phone when you’re alone in the street. You may not be able to notice something coming behind you or hear oncoming dangers.
Avoid empty and dark alleys/streets
Stick to busy streets when walking outside. If you have no choice but to pass through a dark, empty street bring a flashlight and personal safety alarm. There is also safety in numbers. It would be great if you can walk with a group or a friend.
Don’t use shoulder straps if possible
Carry your purse or bag between your arm and body. Bags with shoulder straps or those with straps crossing your body can be easily grabbed. Should this happen to you, don’t fight it. You can get injured. Your life is more precious than your possessions. Remember as much detail as you can about the incident and report it to the police.
Tell your parents and friends where you are going
It’s important that your family know where you are. They may need to contact you, or, more importantly, you may need to contact them if you find yourself in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.
Never get in a car with someone who has been drinking
You’ve probably heard this a million times but NEVER ever get into a car with someone who has been drinking. Drinking and driving put your life in very serious danger, and it also puts other drivers on the road and other innocent people, such as children playing near the road, in danger too. Call your parents to pick you up or get home with someone who has NOT been drinking at all. Even one or two drinks can affect a person’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to drive safely.