12 Basic Street Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know

We live in a fast-paced world, and sometimes, personal safety takes a backseat in our daily routine. But staying safe shouldn’t be an afterthought. Whether you’re commuting, out with friends, or running errands alone, here are 12 real-life safety tips every woman should keep in mind:

1. Stick with a Buddy When You Can If you’re going out at night or walking through unfamiliar areas, try to bring a friend. Attackers are much less likely to target people in pairs. If you're alone, stay connected via a call with someone who knows where you are.

2. Trust Your Gut If something feels off—a person, a situation, or even a place—trust your instinct. Don’t second guess it. Walk away, cross the street, or go into a store. Your intuition is one of your strongest tools.

3. Stay Alert, Not Distracted Avoid walking with your eyes glued to your phone. Put it in your pocket and keep your ears open. Don’t use both earbuds at night. Awareness of your surroundings lets you spot suspicious behavior early.

4. Walk with Confidence Attackers often look for vulnerable or unsure individuals. Walk with purpose. Even if you’re lost, fake it. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and maintain a steady pace.

5. Have Safety Tools Ready Before you leave a building or approach your car, make sure your keys, pepper spray, or safety alarm are already in hand. You don’t want to fumble in your bag in a dark parking lot.

6. Be Smart About Parking Lots Park under lights and avoid spaces boxed in by large vehicles. If a van is parked close to your driver's door and it feels sketchy, get in through the passenger side. Don’t unlock your car until you're close to it. Once in, lock the doors and drive away immediately.

7. Change Your Routine Occasionally Don’t make it easy for someone to track your habits. Switch up the times and routes you take when walking, running, or commuting. Predictability can make you a target.

8. Use Safety Apps Download apps like Noonlight or WalkSafe that allow you to share your location with trusted contacts. If you feel unsafe, these apps can notify authorities or your emergency contacts quickly.

9. Make Noise When Needed If you’re being followed or harassed, yell. Loudly. Say things like, “I don’t know you!” or “Leave me alone!” Drawing attention makes most attackers back off.

10. Learn Basic Self-Defense Take a local self-defense class or watch reputable tutorials online. Learn to strike soft spots like the eyes, nose, or throat. Even knowing how to break a simple wrist grab could help you escape.

11. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help See someone on the street who looks trustworthy (like a woman walking her dog or an employee at a shop)? Don’t be afraid to approach them and say, “I think someone is following me—can I walk with you?” Most people will say yes.

12. Help Others When You Can If you see someone who looks vulnerable, drunk, or being harassed, step in or alert someone who can help. One small action could protect someone from harm.

Final Word: Staying safe is about being aware and prepared. Share these tips with your friends, sisters, classmates, or coworkers. Let’s keep each other safe out there!

Reference:

Help Save the Next Girl. (n.d.). Safety Tips. Retrieved from http://helpsavethenextgirl.com/resources/safety-tips/

Instructables. (n.d.). Basic Street Safety for Women. Retrieved from https://www.instructables.com/Basic-Street-Safety-for-Women/

Paladin Security. (n.d.). Safety Tips for Women. Retrieved from https://paladinsecurity.com/safety-tips/for-women/

Placer County. (n.d.). Violence Against Women: General Safety Tips. Retrieved from https://www.placer.ca.gov/8848/Violence-against-women-general-safety-ti

Salt Lake City Police Department. (2012). SLCPD Safety Tips for Women. Retrieved from https://police.slc.gov/ass3ts/uploads/2012/04/SLCPDSafetytipsforWomen.pdf

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office. (n.d.). Tips for Women on Staying Safe! Retrieved from https://www.desotosheriff.com/community/tips_for_women_on_staying_safe!