Monthly Archives: August 2011

Safety Tips To Avoid Becoming a Victim Of Sexual Assault

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By Gregory Colvin

Sexual assault prevention begins with being aware of your surroundings. In earlier articles I discussed observation and curiosity as safety tips.  Both observation and curiosity are relevant in the avoidance of a violent sexual attack.  Just because it hasn’t happened to you before and you are in familiar surroundings, it does not mean it cannot happen at any time.

Statistics from RAINN, the Rape Abuse & Incest Network, state that every 2 minutes in the US a sexual assault occurs.  There are 213,000 victims each year.  And of these 213,000 cases, 60% are not reported to the police.

More statistics, 44% of the victims are under age 15 and 80% are under the age of 30.

While many of the assailants are known to the  victim, however, the most violent attackers are unknown to the victim.  This article will hopefully provide you tips to avoid becoming a victim yourself.

Even in settlings that are familiar and you believe to be safe, stay aware of what is happening around you. See Observation and Curiosity articles.  If something doesn’t feel or look right, then it is better to err on the side of safety and turn back,  find an exit and seek help. Trust your inter consciousness.  If something is screaming at “you get out”, then it is time to run.

When in the city, whether familiar in surroundings or strange, walk as much as possible in well lighted areas.  Darkness is the assailant’s best friend.  My best suggestion is to walk with a group of people.  There really is safety in numbers.

When parking your vehicle, chose an area near a light post or a well lit area that will illuminate the car.  As you approach, look around the vehicle.  If it has been snowing, look for footprints, are there any around the car?  Is there glass on the pavement? Approach the car with caution. Peek into the rear seat and check to see if anyone is hiding there.  If anything appears out of the ordinary,  call the police or return to the office and get security, or tell the parking toll booth attendant.  Just do not get behind the wheel of the car, without someone else there to check it out with you.

When walking on the sidewalk, walk facing oncoming traffic.  It more difficult for someone to execute a snatch and grab when you are walking facing the traffic.  You are better able to monitor the traffic and notice if a vehicle slows down when approaching you.   A snatch and grab usually occurs when a vehicle pulls up beside you while you are walking along the street.  Walking facing traffic makes it  easier to see the approaching danger.

Dark alleys are great places to ambush someone.  So walk as close to the street as possible to avoid being pulled into the alley.

When walking along the city streets, wear comfortable shoes that allow you to escape if chased.  It is hard to run in heels.

When approaching your car always carry your keys in your hand.  Keep the ignition key between the index and middle finger.  If you have a smart key (these are keys that some vehicles now that do not require a key to insert in the ignition) put a house key on the ring.  This key can be used to strike the assault in the eye or throat or anywhere that you can imagine.  Aggregation will sometimes take the drive out of the assailant.  It can usually give you an opportunity to summon help.

Having your vehicle brake down on the roadway is a frustrating situation.  And when someone stops to help, it is a welcome relief.  However resist the urge to get out of your car.  The best idea is to ask them to call for a wrecker or the police.  Don’t leave your car and ride with them anywhere.

Never pickup hitchhikers. Never! And I repeat never!  This goes for men and women.  Sorry hitchhikers!

When at home alone, keep the doors and windows closed and locked.  The security system should be set so that it can be monitored by the alarm company.

Never allow a stranger to know that you home alone.  If someone comes to the door, shout out “I’ll get the door!” And then “How many times have I told to not to leave this loaded shotgun by the door!”

If someone comes to the door and asks to use the telephone, don’t open the door.  Instead tell them that you will make the call for them and ask for the phone number, without opening the door.

Ever see those movies, you know the ones, when the female comes home and sees the front open and she gets out of the car and walks into the house to see what has happened. Don’t be that person.  Quickly back the car out of the driveway and contact the police.

I feel very strongly that you must protect yourself.  The police do the best they can, but they cannot be everywhere.  And men, there are predators that stalk not only females, but men as well.

Remember:  Your Safety Is Up To You!

Gregory Colvin is a former police officer and author who has noticed how few people observe their surroundings.    He writes personal security and safety articles on the web.

Curiosity-As A Safety Tip

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By Gregory Colvin

Ever heard: “Curiosity Killed the Cat”?   I don’t know about cats, but curiosity could save your life.

Animals in the wild are very curious.  It is that curiosity that keeps them alive.  At the slightest sound their ears perk up and the head turns toward the source of the sound.  They prepare to flee or defend themselves.

Many of you are saying, but the hero and heroine or the extra in the movies are always following their curiosity and walking into a horrible death.  The curiosity I am talking about doesn’t involve walking into a trap, but away from it.  The information in this article relates back to my article on “Observation”.

In unfamiliar surroundings,  for example,  parking garages, parking lots, subways and subway exits, bus stops and, well you get the idea, make it a habit to be curious about activity around you. This is especially important in those areas that are familiar, because you tend to drop your guard.  Be aware and ask, does something appear a little outside the normal?  Listen.  The sound of footsteps that stop when you stop. A car or van that is pacing you  when walking down the street.

Curiosity.  In a foreign country, a strange city or the forest, monitor what is going on around you and ask yourself,  is that normal?    Too many times,  I have seen people who walk around in a daze.  They may be reading emails or text messages or unaware about their surroundings.  These people are easy marks for predators.  Not to mention, they may never find their way back to their hotel rooms.

Curiosity can keep you out of dangerous situations.  For example, why is that guy wearing an full length coat on a 90 degree day and walking into my bank?  Is he making a fashion statement or hiding something under the coat.  You may want to reconsider your deposit to avoid being a hostage in a bank robbery.  You can be the one to call 911.


A few examples that come to mind.   That strange guy at the bar, you know, the one that keeps eyeing you and gets up to leave when you do.  OOOH that’s right, you were busy texting your BBF about your great night.  In the meantime,  you have a tail.  Someone you are about to meet up close and personal either at your car or before you get that far.  Wait to text until you are securely seated in your car and speeding down the highway, better to die in a fiery accident than to be raped and cut into a dozen pieces, then buried in a shallow grave.  Or better yet,  wait to get home and then text.

I usually fight to get the seat facing the door, wherever I am.  I know that I will pay more attention than my tablemates about what is going on around us than they will, and I am usually right. If I’m not facing the door,  I feel like a sitting duck.  If you are sitting facing the door, just check from time to time who comes through the door.  The world has changed.  More nuts have guns than ever before.  The gun is a very impersonal weapon.  You don’t have to get close to your victim, you can kill them from across the room.  An early warning may give you time to escape.  Run, stay close to the floor.  If there are too many people blocking the exit,  throw a chair or heavy object through a window and jump out.  This only works if you are on the first floor.  Just get out of the range of the assailant.   Regardless of what you have seen in the movies or television, the only effective weapon against a gun is another or bigger gun.

Unless you have a very powerful guardian angel.  And in that situation, it is not a good idea  to test him or her.  They may be on vacation.  Even angels need a break.  Especially with someone like me.   The list is endless.  Curiosity is your friend.  Just as long as it doesn’t lead down to the darkened  basement.

Remember:     Your Survival Is Up To You.

Gregory Colvin is a former police officer and author who has noticed how few people observe their surroundings.    He writes personal security and safety articles on the web.

Keep Kids Safe

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It seems like almost every other day there are reports of children being abducted. The problem has reached the point that most states have introduced Amber Alerts systems. These systems activate billboards along the highway with descriptions of the missing child.

One company’s answer to the problem is the creation of the iSAFE backpack. Backpacks have become a staple, not just for children, but adults as well. When traveling, I always have a backpack. I wonder how anyone got along without one.

Hidden in the strap of this backpack is a device, that when the wearer feels threatened and pulls the pin, it activates a siren, instantly drawing attention.  This will usually be sufficient to chase away the attacker and summon help.

This website is about personal safety and I am always looking for products that fulfill that purpose. I am proud to offer this product. I not only recommend it for families with children, but for adults as well.  It is the perfect for traveling.

I found the following video featuring the iSAFE backpacks.


iSafe Backpacks & Bags give you Mobile Personal Security
everywhere you go. You’ll have Peace of Mind knowing that you’re protected with the World’s Loudest Personal Alarm System . It’s Like Having a Bodyguard with You All the Time.

Remember: Your Safety Is Up To You!

Safety Tips at Home-The Safe Room

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By Gregory Colvin

As promised in my earlier article about safety at home, here is additional information about how to prepare for a determined intruder or severe weather. Though rare, there are times that someone could enter your home when you are present. There is a haven that you can invest in that can protect you and your family if this occurs. This investment is the safe room. The safe room is a secure internal room in the house that the burglar cannot enter.
A well designed safe room should have a metal door and frame, making it harder for the intruder to kick in the door or tear it from the frame. The door should be equipped with a keyless deadbolt.
This room must contain a telephone.  A land line is good. During inclement weather, the phone company continues to have power to operate the phone. However, in the case of a home invasion, a cell phone is better. Land lines to the house are often the first thing that the intruder will disable. Be sure that the cell phone is charged. The power to the house may also be disconnected.
An emergency first aid kit is important. Check the kit periodically, replacing outdated supplies. Children love to play with bandages, so it is a good idea to check and resupply as needed.
Usually the crisis is over very quickly, most burglars don’t want spend a long period of time in someone else’s home. This only increases the likelihood that they will wind up in jail. Their intention may be kidnapping. If kidnapping is their aim, you may be in the room for an extended period awaiting rescue.

The safe room is also an excellent haven in the case of hazardous weather. Many commercially built safe rooms can withstand tornadic force winds. If you live in an area of the country that experiences tornadoes or hurricanes, you may want to seriously think about investing in a well constructed safe room.

You will want to keep some, if not all, of the following supplies:

• Fire extinguisher
• A week’s worth of drinking water
• A week’s worth of food
• Flashlights, at least two
• Extra batteries
• A battery powered lantern or two
• Toilet facilities.   They can be an installed commode or a portable toilet
• Bedding or cots for sleeping
• Stove.  You may not have electricity for a period of time, in the case of a severe storm. The stove should be a camping type. A note of caution: Be sure that the room has adequate ventilation.
• A portable radio so you can monitor weather conditions.
• Candy and snacks make life in the room more bearable.
• Books and magazines help pass the time.
• You may want to keep some defensive weapons. If children are present in the house, the weapons should be unloaded and locked until needed. If the weapon is a firearm, take a course to familiarize yourself with its operation. Occasional practice wouldn’t hurt either.
The safe room is an excellent investment.
Remember: Your Safety Is Up To You!