General

• If you see or sense problems on your way, just change your route and prepare to run or defend yourself.

• Do not wear conspicuous jewelry when you are walking on the streets alone.

• Do not hitchhike, use buses or taxis instead.

• Do not act or look like an easy target - look confident!

• Most "fights" are won before they start. Aggressors will back down if you maintain eye contact and are not intimidated by them.

Public Transport

• Remember, there is usually safety in numbers. Wait in a coffee shop or in a well lighted area for the public transportation to arrive.

• Don't choose the window seat as you may be "blocked in" by a potential assailant. Always choose an aisle seat for quick exit.

• After peak hours always choose the train compartment carrying the most passengers or the compartment directly behind the train operator.

• On buses, sit behind the driver or next to the door for quick exit.

Motor Vehicles

• Danger areas are stepping out of your car either at home or in isolated areas, and also walking to your car.

• Always approach your vehicle with the keys ready.

• It is a good practice to drive with your windows up and doors locked to avoid unwanted passengers at intersections.

• Always check your vehicle interior before entering.

• Never leave your car unlocked, even for the few minutes it may take you to return a video, buy milk and so forth. Attackers have been known to lie in wait for such an opportunity.

• Never get into a car even if someone is pointing a knife or a handgun at you from inside. Just start to run away from the car screaming at the same time. It's much more likely that he will drive away to find an easier target than attacking or killing you. If you get into the car, the assailant has a much better opportunity to drive to a quiet place and start to abuse you and later maybe kill you.

• Never pull your car over on a quiet road even, if someone drives alongside your car pointing at the tires. Always continue driving to a well lighted and crowded area before exiting your car. The "problem" might be a bluff. A potential assailant wants you to stop at the side of the road for the opportunity to commit crime or cause you bodily harm.

• Always be alert in parking lots, especially when it's dark. If you are afraid, don't be too shy to ask someone to escort you to your car. Between and inside cars, it's easy for someone to hide and wait until an unsuspecting person comes along.

Taxis

• Always check the identification of the driver (usually located near the sun visor) and ensure that it matches the driver.

• Be wary of taxis with central locking systems controlled by the driver.

• Don't sit behind the driver as it may be easy for the driver to lock the rear passenger door - always choose the adjacent seat.

• Always call to schedule a taxi pickup with taxi companies that allow you to identify and trace the driver.

• Avoid flagging down taxis from the street.

Walkers and Joggers

• If you have car trouble and are walking to look for help, always walk against the traffic so that you can see what is coming.

• If shadowed by a car, run back in the direction from which you came. If you continue in the same direction, you will make it easy for the shadowing to continue.

• Don't use a "walkman" when walking or jogging in isolated areas at any time. You need to hear everything going on around you at all times.

• Regularly change your route. Don't travel the same areas every time.

• Mark out houses at intervals on each route you take that may be used as "safe houses" in the event of attack such as shops or houses that you know to be occupied by a friend or acquaintance. Try to incorporate these safe houses every time you change your route.

• Be alert at all times. Don't presume that because your area has been "safe" thus far, that it will continue to be so.

Clothing

• Think about your clothing - where will it be worn? Will you be going out after work? Get into the habit of leaving restrictive clothing and shoes for those occasions when you are certain that you have no reason to anticipate danger, such as large crowds, being picked up after work or going out and so forth. Choose a wardrobe which maximizes freedom of movement.
• The best self defense techniques will not help you if you cannot run away because of tight skirts or shoes with straps and high heels. In these situations, it will be necessary to disable your attacker to make sure you are not followed unless you have some means of a quick exit such as a motor vehicle. Don't place additional and unnecessary pressure on your chances of a successful escape.