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Former FBI Agent Shares Safety Tips For Women And You Might Want To Take These Into Consideration
Like a waterproof watch or good insurance, some things seem rather useless until that one time they really pay off. Unfortunately, while crime has become increasingly rare, that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t still exercise some amounts of precaution.
An ex-FBI agent went viral for sharing a series of safety tips predominantly for women, but also useful for anyone else. So get out your favorite method of taking notes, take a quick glance behind your back and be sure to leave your own ideas and experiences in the comments down below.
More info: Instagram
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Criminals do have certain criteria when selecting a victim
Image credits: steve_lazarus_books
So an ex-FBI agent started making videos sharing tips to stay safe
Image credits: steve_lazarus_books
Image credits: steve_lazarus_books
Image credits: Elena Helade (not the actual image)
Image credits: steve_lazarus_books
Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)
Image credits: steve_lazarus_books
Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)
Image credits: steve_lazarus_books
You can watch the full video here
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There are day to day precautions people can take
Personal safety in public spaces is a matter of proactive risk management rather than a reaction to immediate threats. While modern society is generally safer than in decades past, data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer indicates that property crimes and personal larcenies remain a consistent reality in urban environments, necessitating a disciplined approach to how we navigate our daily lives.
Maintaining safety begins with the psychological transition from a state of total distraction to one of active observation. Research conducted by the National Safety Council suggests that “distracted walking,” primarily caused by smartphone usage, has led to a significant increase in pedestrian accidents and a decrease in environmental awareness. When an individual is focused on a screen, they effectively forfeit their ability to detect subtle environmental changes or suspicious behavior, making them a more viable target for opportunistic crime.
To mitigate these risks, safety professionals often recommend the implementation of the OODA Loop, Observe, Orient, Decide, Act, a decision-making framework originally developed for military combat but highly applicable to personal security. By observing the flow of people and the layout of a street, you can orient yourself to potential hazards such as poorly lit areas or blocked exits. This level of situational awareness allows you to make decisions long before a situation escalates. Statistics show that individuals who exhibit high levels of awareness are rarely chosen as targets. A seminal study by Grayson and Stein in 1981 demonstrated that potential offenders evaluate targets based on non-verbal cues. Those who walked with a short or awkward stride, displayed downward-looking eye contact, or showed signs of hesitation were significantly more likely to be perceived as vulnerable. Conversely, walking with a steady, purposeful gait and maintaining a neutral but alert posture projects a sense of capability that acts as a natural deterrent.
Being aware of your environment is always useful
Beyond physical presence, the routes we choose and the timing of our travels play a critical role in statistical safety. Data from urban planning studies suggest that crimes are disproportionately concentrated in “hot spots” characterized by low natural surveillance and poor lighting. It is advisable to stick to primary thoroughfares where there is a consistent flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Even if a shortcut through a park or an alley saves five minutes, the statistical risk increase rarely justifies the time saved. If you find yourself in an unfamiliar area, using a navigation app is useful, but it is safer to memorize the next three turns or use a single earbud for audio directions rather than walking with the phone held out in front of you. Keeping your hands free is essential for maintaining balance and responding to your environment, carrying heavy bags or keeping hands buried in pockets reduces your reaction time significantly.
Digital tools should be used as a secondary layer of protection to enhance your physical security measures. Many modern smartphones include emergency SOS features that can be triggered discreetly, and sharing your real-time location with a trusted contact provides a digital safety net. For those utilizing public transportation or rideshare services, the protocols must be even more stringent. According to various rideshare safety reports, the most vulnerable moments occur during the initial pickup. It is a vital safety standard to verify the vehicle’s license plate and the driver’s identity before entering. Once inside, checking that the child safety locks are not engaged and tracking your own progress on a personal map ensures you are being taken to the correct destination. These small, repetitive actions form a comprehensive safety habit that reduces the likelihood of human error or predatory behavior.
The final and perhaps most important component of personal safety is the acknowledgment of the body’s physiological warning systems. The human brain is highly evolved to detect patterns that do not fit a safe environment, often manifesting as a “gut feeling” or a sense of unease. In the book The Gift of Fear, safety expert Gavin de Becker argues that intuition is a cognitive process that happens faster than conscious thought. Ignoring these signals in favor of social politeness is a common mistake that can lead to dangerous outcomes. If a situation feels incorrect, the most logical and serious advice is to remove yourself from that environment immediately. Safety is not a matter of luck, it is a calculated discipline of observing data, trusting your instincts, and maintaining a physical presence that communicates you are not a passive observer, but an active participant in your own security. By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you move through the world with a grounded, statistical advantage that prioritizes your well-being.
Commenters also gave their own tips
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What do you think ?
Henrik Knudsen 6 days ago (edited)
I feel so sorry that you women have to go through this and feel this unsafe. I can't even begin to imagine. I have two daughters and one son whome I teach to cherish and be mindful of women especially. My wife has told me some horror stories about her encounters.
Kkg 5 days ago
Fortunately not every place is the world is like this. It doesn't mean women are 100% safe anywhere, but at least we don't have to be paranoid about it. I can travel in the night with public transportation, I can run in the evening in my local park, and I definitely don't have to hide in my own hotel room behind the curtains.
Load More Replies...
alchemilla vulgaris 5 days ago
Girls and younger ladies, if you feel that something is amiss, do trust your gut. Look around for one of us old biddies, and pretend to be our nieces, friend's daughters, anything. We will understand. We have been in your shoes before. We may be physically weaker, but we can be more assertive, and anyway predators aim for people who are alone. Do not hesitate, come over!
Shark Lady 5 days ago
In the UK, since we aren't allowed to carry things like pepper spray, keep a can of hairspray or deodorant in your handbag. Also carry a personal alarm. In my self defence class we were taught to yell fire instead of help. If you are walking somewhere on your own don't use headphones/ear-buds, you need to be able to focus on your surroundings. At night, don't take the un-lit shortcuts that you would use in the daytime. If someone is pestering you, look for an older woman; we've been through the mill of keeping ourselves safe, and the majority of us will stay with you until you reach safety.
Ali 5 days ago
As an older woman, I'd like to add - try and sit by older women on a train. Chances are they will click something is off quicker and better more assertive. If they pretend they know you, play along - predators are looking for lone women. However, don't give these women information about yourself and if they want you to leave the train with them, you need a train guard. .
Load More Replies...
ADHD 6 days ago
if at a petrol station, if approached and u think its something dangerous, spray the heck out of em with pump. was a viral video of a lady doing that. the attack failed
UnclePanda 5 days ago
I like Multa Noche's idea of bringing back the hat pin. It's a steeletto with style.
CaliPanda 6 days ago
I travel a lot for business and second all of these suggestions. I would add carry a Birdie alarm and pepper gel (not spray). Keeping your head on a swivel is key.
R Dennis 6 days ago
I got Birdie alarms for my wife, stepdaughter, and daughter... but they don't carry them. 😕
Load More Replies...
marianne eliza 5 days ago (edited)
Ladies: make sure all your male friends read this. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking you're overreacting.
Nota Robot 5 days ago
I'm glad Uldouz posted that clarification, because I must confess I got a little annoyed at her first post.
TotallyNOTAFox 5 days ago (edited)
Depending on the situation trying to hold other men accountable or prevent attacks can backfire into getting attacked yourself - Mention crime statistics here in Germany regarding violence against women and point out a common factor for the majority and you get a s*******m approaching. Instead of men really facing consequences women get tipps on how to avoid being targeted and segrated areas pop up everywhere.
Load More Replies...
Sven Horlemann 4 days ago
I find these excellent. And let me say, even as a 6'5 male, I am alert and aware of my surroundings.
Timothy St John 5 days ago
We would never believe this was an FBI agent without the sunglasses
Austzn 5 days ago (edited)
I'm male and I do most of this stuff too. Ya know why? Because I'm not invulnerable to being violently assaulted/robbed/whatever. 🙄 Edit for Vix: Do you seriously think that is the point of my comment? Get outta here with that zero-sum mindset. Hang on, I need another one of these here: 🙄
JB 5 days ago (edited)
I really wish the whole piece and video had been written in a gender neutral way throughout because, again, the perception given is it’s mostly women who are targets. “But it’s TRUE!” I hear you shout. Yes, it is, but we could start pounding the message home that men can be equally vulnerable, they just swan around thinking it can’t happen to them. If men overshare on dating sites, they can be targeted for burglary while they are out on a date. There are known cases of men being approached by women, may or may not be d*****d, then jumped as they leave the pub/restaurant and robbed. Not all rapists/murderers favour women, nor is it essential to them that their target is gay - John Wayne Gacy, anyone? The focus is often on men being generally stronger than women, respectfully, that’s equally true for most short or average size men facing a 6’+ opponent. I am certainly not trying to downplay the truth that women ARE more at risk but maybe if men were more aware of the shìt that can and does happen to them, they’d be better able to comprehend that we all need to be careful and take care of each other.
Lee Gilliland 5 days ago
The fact that men are m******d 4 times more often and attacked 7 times more often than women because they don't follow the rules bears you out.
Load More Replies...
Henrik Knudsen 6 days ago (edited)
I feel so sorry that you women have to go through this and feel this unsafe. I can't even begin to imagine. I have two daughters and one son whome I teach to cherish and be mindful of women especially. My wife has told me some horror stories about her encounters.
Kkg 5 days ago
Fortunately not every place is the world is like this. It doesn't mean women are 100% safe anywhere, but at least we don't have to be paranoid about it. I can travel in the night with public transportation, I can run in the evening in my local park, and I definitely don't have to hide in my own hotel room behind the curtains.
Load More Replies... alchemilla vulgaris 5 days ago
Girls and younger ladies, if you feel that something is amiss, do trust your gut. Look around for one of us old biddies, and pretend to be our nieces, friend's daughters, anything. We will understand. We have been in your shoes before. We may be physically weaker, but we can be more assertive, and anyway predators aim for people who are alone. Do not hesitate, come over!
Shark Lady 5 days ago
In the UK, since we aren't allowed to carry things like pepper spray, keep a can of hairspray or deodorant in your handbag. Also carry a personal alarm. In my self defence class we were taught to yell fire instead of help. If you are walking somewhere on your own don't use headphones/ear-buds, you need to be able to focus on your surroundings. At night, don't take the un-lit shortcuts that you would use in the daytime. If someone is pestering you, look for an older woman; we've been through the mill of keeping ourselves safe, and the majority of us will stay with you until you reach safety.
Ali 5 days ago
As an older woman, I'd like to add - try and sit by older women on a train. Chances are they will click something is off quicker and better more assertive. If they pretend they know you, play along - predators are looking for lone women. However, don't give these women information about yourself and if they want you to leave the train with them, you need a train guard. .
Load More Replies... ADHD 6 days ago
if at a petrol station, if approached and u think its something dangerous, spray the heck out of em with pump. was a viral video of a lady doing that. the attack failed
UnclePanda 5 days ago
I like Multa Noche's idea of bringing back the hat pin. It's a steeletto with style.
CaliPanda 6 days ago
I travel a lot for business and second all of these suggestions. I would add carry a Birdie alarm and pepper gel (not spray). Keeping your head on a swivel is key.
R Dennis 6 days ago
I got Birdie alarms for my wife, stepdaughter, and daughter... but they don't carry them. 😕
Load More Replies... marianne eliza 5 days ago (edited)
Ladies: make sure all your male friends read this. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking you're overreacting.
Nota Robot 5 days ago
I'm glad Uldouz posted that clarification, because I must confess I got a little annoyed at her first post.
TotallyNOTAFox 5 days ago (edited)
Depending on the situation trying to hold other men accountable or prevent attacks can backfire into getting attacked yourself - Mention crime statistics here in Germany regarding violence against women and point out a common factor for the majority and you get a s*******m approaching. Instead of men really facing consequences women get tipps on how to avoid being targeted and segrated areas pop up everywhere.
Load More Replies... Sven Horlemann 4 days ago
I find these excellent. And let me say, even as a 6'5 male, I am alert and aware of my surroundings.
Timothy St John 5 days ago
We would never believe this was an FBI agent without the sunglasses
Austzn 5 days ago (edited)
I'm male and I do most of this stuff too. Ya know why? Because I'm not invulnerable to being violently assaulted/robbed/whatever. 🙄 Edit for Vix: Do you seriously think that is the point of my comment? Get outta here with that zero-sum mindset. Hang on, I need another one of these here: 🙄
JB 5 days ago (edited)
I really wish the whole piece and video had been written in a gender neutral way throughout because, again, the perception given is it’s mostly women who are targets. “But it’s TRUE!” I hear you shout. Yes, it is, but we could start pounding the message home that men can be equally vulnerable, they just swan around thinking it can’t happen to them. If men overshare on dating sites, they can be targeted for burglary while they are out on a date. There are known cases of men being approached by women, may or may not be d*****d, then jumped as they leave the pub/restaurant and robbed. Not all rapists/murderers favour women, nor is it essential to them that their target is gay - John Wayne Gacy, anyone? The focus is often on men being generally stronger than women, respectfully, that’s equally true for most short or average size men facing a 6’+ opponent. I am certainly not trying to downplay the truth that women ARE more at risk but maybe if men were more aware of the shìt that can and does happen to them, they’d be better able to comprehend that we all need to be careful and take care of each other.
Lee Gilliland 5 days ago
The fact that men are m******d 4 times more often and attacked 7 times more often than women because they don't follow the rules bears you out.
Load More Replies...
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