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“Things To Know To Stay Safe That Maybe No One Ever Told You”: 24 Tips For Women From This Creator
It goes without saying that safety and security can’t be overstated. Especially these days.
Just consider this: if the internet is breaking at the seams with women speaking about the ways they stay safe and deal with stalking, harassment, and other forms of abuse against women, then you know you have a problem. A prevalent one at that.
A lifestyle TikToker recently went viral with a handful of her safety and security tips after sharing how you have to be “consistently inconsistent” in order to stay safe out there.
Image credits: amazedbykayy
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
When you get home, don't turn on the lights, especially if you live in an apartment building. Because if someone did follow you home and they quietly parked and waited to see outside the building what bedroom window they see a light turn on, they now know where you live. I was always told to refrain and create a solution right away for that. When you leave the house, you always leave a light on in your apartment at all times, or the porch light, the backlight. And that light bill is worth your safety every time. At least you have some type of peace of mind, and hopefully, it saves you.
Zoe's Mom 1 year ago
Night lights in every room that stay on 24\7. I hate coming home to a dark space.
Stannous Flouride 1 year ago
And LED lights use a minuscule amount of electricity.
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FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Light timers are great thing, staggered by a minute or two, look like you are coming home to someone and as a bonus, the lights are already on.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
Use LED lights and the electric bill won't move hardly at all. Those buggers use very little energy.
I_imagine_even_worse_w***s 1 year ago (edited)
Yep i never keave home without a light on inside. I was always told that the biggest giveaway that no one was home was people that usually didn't have their porch light on except when they were out were far more prone to being burgled.
Keisha 1 year ago
My lights and tb's stay on. My TV 24/7 since I can't sleep without it on. My lights in some rooms are always on until I go to bed but I have shutters and blackout curtains. I live in the middle of nowhere so the TV makes people think I'm home 24/7 and they can't see the lighting. Plus having a 290# Saint Bernard that looks more like a bear than a dog would scare away the most harden criminal. He doesn't like people in his house. But my male Sianese cat is the worst. Even if he knows you if you don't let the person in he's coming in hard on you long before my St. Gets his lazy butt work. My friends,family and neighbors never show up without advance notice. People who have a mean or yapping dog(think ankle biter Chihuahua's don't get robbed as often as people without a dog. Someone tried to do a home invasion on my home when my children and I were home until they saw the size of my Staffordshire Terrier,freaked out and tried to run. Unfortunately they had killed several people before.
RELATED:
#2
Pay attention when you're leaving places, your rearview mirror, who's following you. Pay attention to the cars parked around you before you even get out of the car to go in the store. These are the type of mindsets and tactics and awareness that the type of people that are looking to harm single women, or women in general, they are not going to target you because you're too hip to things be super consistent with being inconsistent.
DB 1 year ago
Vehicles I avoid parking near: NRA, concealed carry or other gun rights sticker. Tricked out Hondas with wide rims and giant, useless mufflers. Pickups with giant tires and stack mufflers. Any European luxury vehicle.
David Pickholtz 1 year ago
Luckily there’s still a great spot available next to the work van with blacked out windows!
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Karri Berkowitz 1 year ago
By these descriptions, I'm a person not to park by. I drive a black Honda with low profile tires and dark tint (I live in Florida, tint is my friend & I get awesome gas mileage) I have no stickers but always have at least one hand gun with me. I'm also a 5 foot tall woman that is super aware of my surroundings at ALL times and don't ? gut feelings.
El Dee 1 year ago
Park in the direction you are leaving (ie your 'escape') Park where there is nothing in your way to the vehicle or in the vehicle's way to the exit. Wear lace up shoes (won't fall off when you run) and mke sure they're flat. Reverse into the space so you can drive out (faster and easier) Don't park anywhere that you can be easily blocked in either..
#3
Become a better steward of your vehicle. A lot of women are taught to just like utilize the car for what it's good for. But in reality, it really keeps you safe to its best ability. It gets you from A to Z in scary moments when you want to leave. And the way that you can do that is by making sure that you don't let any of your vehicle functions get down to the nitty gritty of wear and tear. So always make sure that you're paying attention to your tire levels. Always make sure you're on top of your oil changes. That is one of the simplest things you can do. Wear and tear on your car in moments of emergency and staying safe is just so unfortunate. So do a better job in loving your cars like men love their cars.
I’ll have a treble thanks. 1 year ago
Turn off the interior lights, you know what your car looks like and you don’t need to advertise when you are getting in it.
Chew-Bonkers 1 year ago
Not all of us had fathers to teach us these things or even bother in the first place because we were born female. Just sayin 🤷♀️
FluffyDreg 1 year ago
So... learn? That's what they are saying. Learn to do those things.
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Kaylen Zahara, known as @amazedbykayy on TikTok, is a lifestyle and beauty personality who has recently been going viral for a video of hers.
Among other things, she discussed the need to be “consistently inconsistent”. By that, she meant that you can’t have a daily routine—a publicly visible one, at least—because that might help potential trouble-makers make some trouble to your disadvantage.
#4
When traveling be very wary with telling employees on the property of the resort where you're at, what room you're staying in. There are employees that work for crime organizations to traffic, kidnap, don't do it.
CuttlefishHierarchy 1 year ago
Not maintenance, laundry, wait staff, bartenders, etc. You really seem to have an issue with believing women are targets just for existing, as evidenced in other comments on this thread. When I was 14 I went to Hawaii with my high school band for a competition. On an afternoon that we had free in Honolulu, my friends and I stopped in a shop where I bought some earrings with travelers checks (1979). The two guys working there insisted that they would get fired if I didn't write the name of my hotel and the room number on the back of the check. It felt really wrong, but they said their boss insisted. So, I did it. That night they skipped the elevator and climbed 8 flights of stairs to get to our room, but were stopped by a chaperone stopped them. They said I invited them, gave my name and room number. They were forced to leave and the chaperones came after me. They absolutely refused to believe what really happened, because things like that are farther and don't really happen or only
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Janelle Collard 1 year ago
I read something like this + it was: If the desk employee says your room number out loud when there other people around, kindly ask to have a different room + Please don't say the number out loud. (cuz ya never know who's out there!)
#5
Change the setting of your car keys. When you go into your car, if you have a newer car, it'll say the option of when you press to click your car button, do you want all the doors to unlock, or just the driver door, choose just the driver door because if you're running from someone, trying to get away from someone, if it unlocks all the doors, all they have to do is go to the passenger back door while you just jumped in the passenger and now they're in the car with you.
Upstaged75 1 year ago (edited)
In my car I have to click twice to get all the doors to unlock. The first click only unlocks the driver's door. Unfortunately just about anyone can outrun me, so I'm not sure that would be any help. ;)
#6
Always make sure that you have enough gas in your tank for your car at night specifically. You never know what could happen. You could be driving home from your parents' house. And you notice you've got a quarter a tank. What happens when you realize your car's gonna run out of gas? If they're continuously following you, and they're making every move, and they're letting you know, yes, we're following you. What are you going to do? Because when you stop what happens? Always make sure you have gas in your car.
Maureen Ustenci 1 year ago
Wait til it's your daughter. Lame jokes not so entertaining then.
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Dogcat vet (retired) 1 year ago
one of my favorite videos is of an older gentleman that was about to be robbed while pumping gas in his car by a white van with about three or four men in it. the person under threat calmly took his gas hose out of the car and then sprayed gas all over the robbers and in their van as they frantically reloaded into the van and drove off. finestkind
PandaGoPanda 1 year ago
We always keep the tank at least half full in case an earthquake happens. We know we've got enough fuel to get to MIL's or out of town if we need to.
Nadine Lynch 1 year ago
It is also not good for your car to run it when the gas tank is empty, because your fuel pump uses to flow of gas to cool it, and if the pump overheats, it might fail. Also, sediment collects at the bottom of gas tanks, and if gas is pulled from down there, the sediment may clog your fuel filter and injectors.
Anxious Aardvark 1 year ago
Weird how many people refuse to fill up unless the tank is almost empty. I'd generally start looking for a station when it got somewhere between 1/2 & 1/4 tank. My one hesitancy about an EV for now.
A. Starhawk Hunt 1 year ago
If anyone is following me, I am headed to the nearest police station.
Keisha 1 year ago
If you know a hurricane (which we get alot of here) fill up you tank and take a reserve tank with you as soon as you hear there is one possible. That way you don't have to hope to find a gas station that is being evacuated. So many people make this mistake and think they have time. Trust me the gas stations will start to ration gas to try to have enough for the onslaught of customers. I worked at convenience store and without fail hundreds of car lined up for gas at the very peak of evacuation.
Kaylen explains that the idea behind being consistently inconsistent is being unpredictable. One of the key things that criminals, human traffickers and similar rabble look for in a victim is patterns. They might study your route to work, to the store and the like, and they could construct their plan of attack based on that. Kaylen suggests getting ahead of things and making sure they can’t plan.
#7
Always do your best to get receipts because there are some establishments that have managers and employees who like to rob their customers. You pay for something $12, and they go 'You want your receipt?' and you say no, and you'll never know that your card was charged $40 because they know every day that their cash register always ends up being short. And that's how they're saving the difference. Or they're just flat out robbing everybody that says no to a receipt.
FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Unless they are double charging you, which they can do after you leave, the number on the register/till/handheld apple scanner etc is the number that goes through. I've never been anywhere that doesn't display the total. If you don't see a total, that's very suspicious.
TotallyNOTAFox 1 year ago (edited)
I don't know where that isn't the case, but the register and card reader system can't be tempered with neither by the manager nor the staff and it's a third party service providing the transaction - at least in deverloped countries AFAIK as shop manager
Kassie McMahon 1 year ago
Don't let them take your card out of your sight. Hand held skimmers are just a swipe and they have your info. Pay at the table on the device, with your phone if possible (Google Wallet gives them a CC number that maps back TO my CC, but isn't my CC number.
Brian Droste 1 year ago
Where I live most times the cashier in like gas stations won't ask if you want a receipt. If You want one, you usually have to ask for one. Large stores usually will give you one.
I_imagine_even_worse_w***s 1 year ago
I will only ever tap my card via my phone for this reason. Hated being I'm countries where you can't tap. I'd be lost without that function!
#8
Whenever you have a maintenance person coming, or a general contractor to work on your home, always make sure that you have men's work boots at the front door, leave out boxers and clothing all over your home or your property, so they see it and they clock in their head, 'I don't know if she's pretending but I'm not going to risk it, leave it alone'.
Upstaged75 1 year ago
For real! Maybe it's just because I'm fat and ugly, but I've never worried about any tradesman who's come to help me. (OK, maybe I'm not ugly, but I AM fat, LOL) Most of them are nice people just doing their jobs. One dude tried to charge me for 3 hours even though he was there less than 1, but that's the worst thing that's ever happened.
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Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
My trans girlfriend actually has her old male clothes. She occasionally still wears it. Women always wear men's clothing. So why can't I wear a dress!?
The Doom Song 1 year ago
When I was living by myself I always had my Dad come over for these types of things. That way not only are you safe but you won't get "ripped off" either
Ur_Fav_Lazy_Panda🫶 1 year ago
Or do it anytime! Get the boots dirty! Don’t be afraid to make it realistic. Aim for a men’s size 10 or above maybe ( idk just big) and smear a little bit of dirt on them (don’t overdo it) and lay them outside. I would also put sneakers too.
Hey! 1 year ago
If I leave my husband's undies around the house, everyone will die asphyxiated. LOL. Nurse-Need...67873f.jpg 
#9
Refrain from putting very personalized bumper stickers on your vehicles that would make it obvious about where you go to school, what you're into, what gym you go to, all of those different things make you trackable.
Ur_Fav_Lazy_Panda🫶 1 year ago
Also just any stickers can help identify. “Officer, it was the car with the chihuahua sticker!” Which can be good, or, “I’m stalking the person with the rubber duck sticker!” Point being, people can easily identify you, in good or bad ways
DeoManus Argentem 1 year ago
My parking decal required to park on campus lots was a huge advert for where I went to school :( I notice them on peoples' cars every day! Sometimes almost as big as full-sized bumper sticks, easily discernable while driving and not even close inspection :(
#10
When living alone as a woman, probably not the best idea when you're in a large apartment complex, or even a small one, to put a doormat outside your door anything that's cutesy and girly, even if it's neutral or not girly, because it allows people who are in the industry of kidnapping people and doing crimes to know there's a woman that lives there. Yeah, that one sucks.
Jeevesssssss 1 year ago (edited)
I'm a woman who's lucky enough to not have to deal with housemates. My house has a big bay window facing onto the street. There's a piano pushed into the bay; standing on the piano are 3 foot-tall Star Wars figures (Vader, Chewie, a Stormie). They look epic (and that's their primary purpose) but they also don't scream 'single female living alone'.
Stannous Flouride 1 year ago
They do, however, scream, "NERD!" (jk- I love that)
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Dolly_of TheCowboy 1 year ago
I asked around workmates for a few pairs of big, old, about to get thrown out, work boots to leave outside back and front doors and some old work clothes to hang on the line. I move them regularly so they look like they are not just for show
Load More Replies... The Doom Song 1 year ago
I just got a dog. Best deterrent ever. Especially coz he was medium sized but sounded like a big mean dog
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
I tend to have door mats that read things like "GO HOME". Or "You Again?" or my personal favorite "Have a nice day. SOMEWHERE ELSE." lol If you want to scare off the baddies, leave a large pair of men's boots outside the door (encrust them in mud from time to time to make them look frequently used). Your door mat should say something like "A grump and two big dogs live here" lol
Louise 1 year ago
When I rented (before I bought my place) I hung my kickboxing heavy bag right inside the front door. Also my boxing gloves were on the counter in front of the only climbable window access. I’m a shortarse woman, but I figured the window dressing might stop me actually HAVING to fight an intruder.
Shelli Aderman 1 year ago
Most apartments do not allow door mats as they’re trip hazards, and landlords do not wish to be liable.
So, go to different stores every time you need to, and go at different times; go do errands in erratic ways; plan meetings all the same, and make sure you’re never alone. Don’t slack on going the extra mile to do this, it’s all for your safety. The less structure your daily life has, the better as it throws off potential predators. And most of them will back off once they see how difficult you are.
#11
When you're doing valet, make sure that you're taking your car key off of the little ring that you have for all other keys. Do not underestimate. You should not underestimate that there's someone behind that venue in a big old van that has a key copier, they take down all your information, your place, etc. And then before you know it, weeks later, you're robbed.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
Sign in front of a plush restaurant. "If you use valet parking, be sure to remember what your valet looks like. Because we don't have valet parking."
Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
Why the h-e-double hockey sticks would you ever put your OWN keys on the valet ring!?
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
some people don't really think about it, they just hand their keys to the valet.
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marianne eliza 1 year ago
I don't use valet parking. Read the limits of liability statement on their stubs. They want your keys. They're driving your car. They're parking it somewhere, but they are not responsible for any losses or damages incurred. It's a free pass to steal. Plus any car with any kind of HP will be taken for a joy ride by the valets.
FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Most cars come with a valet key now, but give them a spare, or even better, keep two keyrings, then you don't have to lug car keys everywhere and you don't have to worry you r lost your house key because you took it out three times while you were away.
Vinny DaPooh 1 year ago
Most likely there are several things in the car that give them your address. Like the car registration.
PeepPeep the duck 1 year ago (edited)
To be honest if they really want my 2004 model rav 4 they can take it 😂 insurance will get me a better newer car
#12
If you have a camera in your home, make sure to remember that while you're in your home, it's either turned off, facing the wall, there's no audio on it because there are such things as people that can hack into Wi-Fi just for sh**s and giggles. And people do this like they go to school or watch cartoons. And they just watch and listen to people all the time through their cameras while you're at home.
Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
I'm so boring they'd get tired of watching my fat face. All I do is play PS5 and eat Cheetos.
Emie N. 1 year ago
Same! I either play Nintendo or just watch true crime while reading a book at the same time.
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PFD 1 year ago
Or just make sure you don't leave the camera feed unprotected or on a default password. These "hackers" aren't going Zero Cool on you, just using an app that automatically scans for unprotected cameras.
farbenzirkel 1 year ago
That! And updating your software/firmware regularly.
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shankShaw deReemer 1 year ago
I have my cameras set to come on about the time I leave for work and to go off after i get home. For off days, i just turn them on and off manually. The programming for automatic off and on is really helpful to me because i was often forgetting to turn on the cameras.
#13
Handy dandy pepper spray, keep it in the car, viewable, not viewable that's up to you. Sometimes, I think it's best to make it viewable and accessible. So you don't forget that you always have it on you.
PandaGoPanda 1 year ago
Obviously, don't do this if you live somewhere where it's illegal to have pepper spray ...
Kitty1019 1 year ago (edited)
I'd rather be fined for illegal pepper spray than be assaulted or worse. That's just me, though.
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Upstaged75 1 year ago
I have one of those deafening safety alarms since I'm not comfortable with pepper spray. Because I'd most likely spray myself in the face and make it easier for the criminal. ;)
Aileen Grist 1 year ago
Hairspray works if you've where you can't use pepper spray - like the UK - and now you can get the, little travel ones that fit in a pocket
Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
A taser or a small pistol work well too. Both can fit in a small purse.
I’ll have a treble thanks. 1 year ago
Anything short sharp and legal to have in a car, ie: screw driver.
Bubba Jones 1 year ago
And don't wonder if it works good and try it inside your car.....don't ask how I know that.
Eve Mraz 1 year ago
...are you ok? I've been pepper sprayed before (by a friend, on accident), that scheisse burns!!
Load More Replies... #14
When it comes to Uber, Lyft, eat deliveries, all that good stuff, don't put your personal information, don't add a photo of yourself, don't put your real name, don't put your apartment unit. Believe it or not, a lot of crazy people on a really low level, not like legitimate organized crime, get into those types of jobs, just to be weirdos, just to be creeps, stalkers, etc.
Daisy1355 1 year ago
By leaving off your unit number, you're saying it's safer to... meet the driver than have them drop off a contactless delivery? The rest of it I can understand to an extent, but I don't understand how leaving off a key part of the delivery address where you can avoid the driver is somehow safer than the driver then having to meet you somewhere.
KillerKiwi 1 year ago
I’ve also heard not to tell them your city or state unless you really have to
Load More Replies... Shelli Aderman 1 year ago
Since you cannot pay for Uber/Lyft, etc. with cash, you have to use the name on your credit card… 🙄
#15
When you are walking on the street, always make sure that you are walking against traffic. Meaning you see all the cars coming toward you, not from behind you. Why? Because if you're walking with traffic, a car can pull up to the side of you or behind you, and snatch you. We see that all the time in movies.
PFD 1 year ago
If there's no pavement (sidewalk) you should walk against the traffic so you can see the behaviour of drivers approaching and because drivers are more likely to see you face-on. But it's a road safety thing, not because of kidnapping. Most of these posts are bloody insane.
Vinny DaPooh 1 year ago
Most of these posters think thousands of people are getting kidnapped each day in their area.
Load More Replies... Flora Porter 1 year ago
Agree it's good practice to face the oncoming traffic but more to reduce your chances of being run over because you can see what's coming.
Paula Pattison 1 year ago
I learned this as a child, not to prevent kidnapping but for safety, walk facing traffic, you can see them and they can see you.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
I think in most places you're supposed to do that anyway, and bicycles go WITH traffic.
Nadine Lynch 1 year ago
It is not really an issue of fear mongering as much as common sense. You walk against the traffic so you can see the cars. You don't broadcast information about yourself so you don't attract unwanted attention (every country has creeps). Putting out a social media post that you are currently on vacation and out of your house invites thieves. Being aware is not the same thing as living in fear. In fact, knowing that you have taken basic steps to ensure your personal security increases confidence. At least, it does for me.
rmandevi831 1 year ago
Walking against traffic also means that you can avoid a car which doesn't see you.
Kerry Carolan 1 year ago
We see all of these nonsense scenarios in movies, and there's definitely a reason for that: movies, I regret to inform you, are not real
But that’s not all. Kaylen has several videos talking about safety. Try to avoid personality on food delivery apps—don’t have any more personal info than it is necessary for the couriers to do their job.
If you have cameras at home, then make sure they are facing away or turned off whenever you’re at home as hackers can hijack them.
#16
If you go to a certain school, work at a certain hospital, etc. Probably not the brightest idea to leave your little information tag in your car dashboard area, and drive around the city and everywhere else and not take it out. Because all that tells somebody is where you go every day, how to find you next after you leave the grocery store. It's not smart.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
I don't know if this is always the case, but if it's a card, you need it to get in the building. True, they know where you work now, but they can't get *in*.
#17
When you get new tags on your car. Make sure that you are scraping through it with a knife or your key to make sure that no one can simply just pull it off.
PandaGoPanda 1 year ago
I don't understand this one. What is a tag on a car? How would scraping a knife through it stop someone pulling it off?
Molly Whuppie 1 year ago (edited)
I think its what people in the US call the proof of registration sticker. I think if you scrape through it, then it can't be pulled off in one piece, so people won't steal it? I'm not 100% sure though. The reason they get stolen is to use for crimes - putting it on a car used in a crime, tracing the VIN number, making a false claim for car damages etc. I think in the US they get put on the license plates, whereas in other countries they go inside the car usually near the windscreen.
Load More Replies... don henvick 1 year ago
In California, we get a permanent license plate, then each year, a small sticker which goes on a corner of the plate to prove it's registered for that year. Slice through the sticker more than once, so that anyone trying to remove to put it on their own plate will only get a piece of it and won't bother.
Nadine Lynch 1 year ago
Have you tried to remove an old California sticker? They disintegrate all by themselves.
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Elchinero 1 year ago
How odd ... what would someone do with the sticker? Our state has the plate number on it in small font.
DeoManus Argentem 1 year ago
Our state has the license plate on the sticker too, but it's so small nobody can read it unless they're examining it like a book. But the big "24" or "25" is big enough to be seen while driving, so the thief has avoided the closer attention instead of an obvious, easy "expired tag" pull-over.
Load More Replies... Ur_Fav_Lazy_Panda🫶 1 year ago
For anyone asking: Tags are the little colored stickers on the bottom right (I think it’s the right honestly idk) side of your license plate. Idk if it’s on a front license plate.
#18
It is important for us as young women to get comfortable with the idea and mindset of being consistently inconsistent with where we run our errands, what we do and how we're doing it. For example, the people that are out here with ill intentions to profit off are looking for specific targets: the oblivious, the ones that don't have awareness and the people that don't have these type of mindsets. You need to be going to different coffee shops all the time, don't go to Target because it's right there at your home and it's just consistent. Do different things, spread it out, drive extra miles to go run your errands, and then next week don't go there anymore, then go to the place that is closest to you, switch it up so much.
Bonesko 1 year ago
Be aware of your surroundings, don't fall into a routine in case of stalkers, tell someone where you are, don't walk alone, lace your keys in between your fingers like a B-rated Wolverine... all sh*t I and probably most women have been told since we started developing. All great advice, but I'm f**king sick of the conversation on how to "stay safe" being a woman in the world is what we women can do to limit being harrased and maybe thwart off an attack.
rmandevi831 1 year ago
I'm more sick of living in a world where we need to have these conversations.
Load More Replies... Chew-Bonkers 1 year ago
This doesn't just apply to "young" women. ALL women of ALL ages are victims of crimes! Always disrupt your routine. This whole thread makes me incredibly sad and angry.
Kerry Carolan 1 year ago
Drive extra miles? Change your routine all the time? This level of paranoia has got to be EXHAUSTING. Just do your normal and stop fear mongering.
Michelle my Belle. 1 year ago
Sorry but no. This is exactly how I ended up with a stalker. He got to know my routine. It was years ago, but the lesson will always remain.
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Nizumi 1 year ago
Not always an option. "Drive extra miles"??!?!? Honey - not everyone has a car. Not everyone who has a car can afford the extra gas. And sometimes you live in an area where there is only one coffee shop, one pharmacy, one supermarket, and the next closest ones are a two hour drive away. If you think living in the middle of nowhere saves you from trouble, think again.
Mabelbabel 1 year ago
If you walk the same route repeatedly, it's easier for a stalker. Vary your route home randomly and for each route, look for 'safe havens,' like a shop or a bar that you could pop into if you're concerned about being followed-you're far safer with other people around. Some bars and pubs have a system in place to assist people-we've got an "Ask for Angela" system. If you are worried about someone, or getting harassed, ask the barman or wait staff for Angela. Thats a signal that you need help, so they get security involved, or throw out the person harassing you
BlindGirl UK 1 year ago (edited)
I'm blind, autistic, and one of my other disabilities making it so I can't walk far (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome), I NEED to use the same routes.
#19
Stop going to the gym every day at five o'clock at your favorite one on Third and Fifth Street. You are completely exposing yourself to a routine, and timeline, and they can just start tracking you, they know your whole routine, you're an easy target to be robbed, trafficked, all this other stuff. So just start thinking outside the box.
Bonesko 1 year ago (edited)
Be aware of your surroundings, don't fall into a routine in case of stalkers, tell someone where you are, don't walk alone, lace your keys in between your fingers like a B-rated Wolverine... all sh*t I and probably most women have been told since we started developing. All great advice, but I'm f**king sick of the conversation on how to "stay safe" being a woman in the world is what we women can do to limit being harrased and maybe thwart off an attack.
Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
My mother just bought a gun and got her concealed carry license. She now feels safe.
Load More Replies... Kerry Carolan 1 year ago
Do you think people can just do that? Like change gym memberships every week? This is crazy talk. No one is getting trafficked because they go to the gym every day
Blue Bunny of Happiness 1 year ago
So, one where there are no predators of women and girls, then…. I think that’s called the Land of Make Believe, sadly.
Load More Replies... #20
When you travel, especially as a woman, you need to book and state that there's a man's name on the reservation. And when you get into that room, you need to make sure that you check everything. Make sure nobody's hiding in cubbies and closets, and always bring a door stopper that has an alarm on it. So if someone does break in as soon as they open that door and alarm that is going to wake up the entire globe is going to be set off.
Ripley 1 year ago
What happens when you can't get into your reserved room because it's in someone else's name?
PandaGoPanda 1 year ago
I usually book with my surname, initials and 'Mr'. If anyone queries it, it's easy enough to just apologise you must have ticked the wrong box or missed the s off of Mrs and you can prove the rest of the name matches.
Load More Replies... FluffyDreg 1 year ago
By reading it properly. You ADD a mans name on the reservation. Not book as a man
Load More Replies... Upstaged75 1 year ago (edited)
What about when they ask for my ID? Should I officially change my name to Bob? FYI I travel extensively for work and have never given anything but my actual name. Although one time I did find a turd in the toilet when I got to my room. It wasn't doing a very good job of hiding though. :)
FluffyDreg 1 year ago
They didnt say not to give your name. But add a man onto it.
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Bewitched One 1 year ago
I think they may be saying book your name and that a "males name" will also be checking in
Paula Pattison 1 year ago
How often does it happen that people find someone hiding in their hotel room?
Hey! 1 year ago
I travelled 2 years 6 days a week. Female. No male were hidden. Ever.
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She also suggests more unorthodox things mixed with standard security measures. Say you have an alarm at home. Trigger it every once in a while—not only will you be testing it out, but you will also be sending a message to everyone about it as a regular drill. It can be annoying, and some might get desensitized to it, but people will be aware of the deterring measures.
#21
Living in an apartment complex, do certain things that throw people off. Get alarm systems, anytime you open your front door let that ring hell loud. So that everybody on your floor knows 'try it if you want to'. Because unfortunately yes, people live there day in and day out to plot to harm others.
FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Having a good relationship with your neighbours is a more valuable safety guard than a loud noise. People who will look out for you, let you know if anything suspicious is going on, maybe even come to aid in an emergency. Having the world's loudest door bell will get them to actively hate/ignore you. Less safe overall
Bewitched One 1 year ago
If your alarm goes off every time you open your door, when you really need it, it'll be like the boy who cried wolf. How will your neighbors know you ACTUALLY NEED HELP THIS TIME?! Some of this is just horrible advice honestly
lawrence Andrew 1 year ago
If they kidnap her the neighbors will hold the door for them.
Load More Replies... Kerry Carolan 1 year ago
Make your own alarm go off every time you open your apartment door? Your neighbors must love you
Upstaged75 1 year ago
Everyone will want to harm you even if they didn't before if you let an obnoxious alarm ring every time to you open your damn door!
quentariel 1 year ago
I don't think it's even legal to have loud ringing alarm systems in apartment complexes here. Like those described that ring every time door is opened.
lawrence Andrew 1 year ago
Forget traffickers. This way your neighbors will kill you. What a self centered b***h.
Vinny DaPooh 1 year ago
When you head to the car, dress like a 1960s movie cowboy and shoot your pistolas in the air. This way they know you're armed. Get a rabid pit bull named Cannibal and let it bark all night. Perhaps do bass speaker subwoofer tests randomly through the week. These are other good ideas to get your neighbors to bury you under the pool equipment shed
Thomas Biorogue 1 year ago
It would become a thing like car alarms. Nobody pays attention to car alarms
#22
Never go to a carwash in the evening or at night. The ones at the gas station that you drive through. Somebody could be in between the sides of where your car's going through really slow getting washed. And they could carjack you, anything could happen.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
That, and if you're stupid enough to be standing where the soapy brushes come down to scrub the side of your car I'm liable to laugh at you.... You gonna get smacked and hung out to dry! :D
Load More Replies... Upstaged75 1 year ago (edited)
LOL, I can only imagine some dude getting soaked and knocked around by those giant brushes! Or slapped with the strips hanging down. :)
Chew-Bonkers 1 year ago
I've been through the gas station car wash at night and I found it incredibly peaceful. There are no employees "lurking" in my local gas station car wash.
#23
Stop talking to strangers. Stranger danger. There are people that are recruited as like employees for the trafficking world. And a lot of them are recruited as women because they come off as unsuspecting. And they talk to you while you're in Target shopping for tissue paper. When you get approached by somebody in an instance where you didn't ask them to tell you 'Oh my god, your hair's so pretty. What do you put on it?' Just be like bye, and move away from the aisle.
Blue Bunny of Happiness 1 year ago
Blimey, they’ve never visited the north of England then. Having a (usually) brief conversation with strangers is pretty standard!
Tabitha 1 year ago (edited)
Same in the US. We don’t usually just blindly go with the stranger who just complimented our hair, though. We just say thanks and let it go at that. Especially if our “Spidey sense” starts giving off alarm bells—-and some stranger just coming up and OTT raving about our hair usually sounds those bells loudly. Anyone with a brain and any experience of life, or anyone inexperienced but who is smart and has been warned and taught well, is going to be cautious of any stranger approaching them anywhere. An exception, still with caveats though (unfortunately), is if someone steps in to help you when someone else is harassing you. Though they’re usually just kind people, you never know if they may be worse than the first guy. Overall though, it’s such a sad state of the world that we can’t even trust people who are doing us a huge favor by helping us get away from a harasser, because there are too many evil a******s around for us to be able to trust anyone.
Load More Replies... Carney 1 year ago
I strongly disagree. Stranger danger is highly over-estimated. You are in much greater risk from people you know than from some stranger. I travel for my work and usually end up talking to strangers quite often. I'm smart about, don't share personal info or go off someplace with someone I just met. However, talking with strangers means getting to know about a place. I've learned about wonderful, inexpensive restaurants, places to see, things to do from casually talking with a stranger. I've also been invited into stranger homes and, although most of the time I say no, I have gone and always had a wonderful time. Meeting new people is a great thing and can lead you to some amazing experiences. Just be smart about it and listen to that inner voice that urges you to walk away.
Kerry Carolan 1 year ago
This is the most far teched one yet remember folks, everyone at target is secretly employed by a sex cartel and is going to kidnap you because you had a conversation with them!
KillerKiwi 1 year ago
This one is only true for minors, and even then you’re more likely to be kidnapped/raped/sexually assaulted by someone you already know than a complete stranger. Not saying it doesn’t happen, just saying it’s far less likely. Especially in America.
Rachel Pelz 1 year ago
Well, for kids, it's about what and what not to talk to strangers about. "Is this the way to the supermarket?" is OK to answer but what's your name, where are you going, where do live--not OK to ask, so do not answer. Stranger=danger is pretty dangerous if kid gets lost or needs help. Large majority of people does NOT kidnap kids. We always told our kids that if in need for help, check if there's a family or a woman to ask (statistics), but if there isn't, of course ask a male person too.
Load More Replies... Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
This must not be for Americans. We talk to strangers. That's like our whole thing, other than guns.
Kimbowa 1 year ago
It’s really so sad we have to be like this. I’d like to think that in some instances it’s OK to have a short conversation with someone you don’t know in the elevator etc. I mean what if someone is wearing something that you absolutely love and you want to know where they got it? Lol.
Zoe's Mom 1 year ago
Agree, but if they start asking really personal questions, end the conversation.
Load More Replies... Chew-Bonkers 1 year ago
I really don't think the (M) stranger I talked to at the laundromat who was 5'0 tall, 100 lbs soaking wet was going to traffic my gargantuan (F) 5'8, 270 lbs was going to "traffic" me. Seriously dude, good luck moving this behemoth! LOL!
#24
I think it's really unsafe for women and children to be riding around in non-tinted windows where anybody can visibly see them, aka fishbowl.
BoredPossum 1 year ago
In every other country it's not dangerous to not have tinted windows.
Load More Replies... Blue Bunny of Happiness 1 year ago
Either the writer is paranoid, or they live in a really, really, really, really dubious place. It’s certainly not something that has ever been identified as a problem in the UK (disclaimer: I have not lived everywhere in the UK, but have never heard of this!)
Upstaged75 1 year ago (edited)
OK this one is REALLY stupid! God forbid anyone actually SEE me!
Ba-Na-Na 1 year ago
Oh no! A woman driving with her children! Extra layer of gasps all around!
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Coralinea 1 year ago
Aka fishbowl? Why not submarine where I can navigate through the world? Giving something an aka doesn't make it better.
Idgafwyt AllDat'N'ABagOfChips 1 year ago
People refer to cars with untinted windows as a fishbowl because the glass is easy to see everyone in your car, as if you were a fish in a fishbowl.
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Hey! 1 year ago
Come one! Be serious! Anyways, you're probably too young for this real fishbowl. AMC-Pacer-...5b7da8.jpg 
It is important to note that while much of the content online doesn’t aim to fear-monger people into a sense of paranoia about the dangers of the outside world, the sheer amount of it doesn’t help. Not everyone and everything is out to get you and the risks are generally low.
For the record, things like homocides are generally speaking on the decline. The pandemic didn't help, but depending on the policies, some places bounced faster than others and, by this point, many bounced back in general.
But like with any extreme, it’s best to find the optimal level of awareness for the sake of safety because you’ll be better off in the long run.
So, what are your thoughts on any of this? Have some safety tips that proved to be quite effective? Share your advice, takes and stories in the comment section below!
You can check out the video that sparked it all below
@amazedbykayy Just some everyday safety sense from a california girl — add to the list for others in comments
♬ original sound - Kaylen Zahara
Here is how the internet reacted to the video
What do you think ?
Meowzers! 1 year ago
The paranoia is strong with this one. How exhausting it must be to think everyone is out to get you.
Donkeywheel 1 year ago (edited)
It’s been a long time since we’ve had this one. Just like the other times, when you have this mindset, you either need to move away from the shithole country you’re living in and/or reach for a psychiatrist to treat your paranoia. Or both.
TheAmericanAmerican 1 year ago
Not more of this "be afraid of EVERYTHING" BS plz. This is a prime example of how fear "sells" "gets the clicks". It's the online equivalent to Fox "News" for millennial, zoomers, and younger.
Mireille Oosterhof 1 year ago (edited)
Let me sum this up without reading anything: "Always be afraid in every single interaction you have with any kind of person." The reality: the chance that anything happens to you is small to nothing. Adult white women are not the prime kidnapping targets they seem to think that they are (kidnapping happens mostly to kids WITHIN THE FAMILY, or (undocumented) migrant workers), most people are just doing their job to earn a living and could not care LESS about you, and the rare chance you meet somebody who is weird, is just because they are socially weird, not because they want to rape and kill you. Sure, bad things happen to people, but I am guessing these people are still driving around in their cars, even is that is in many place thes ONE thing that might get you killed most. You can't live your life being afraid.
KillerKiwi 1 year ago
Well, the title was right. I have never heard of most of these because they are outlandish and stupid.
Carney 1 year ago
Wow! I guess if you are a woman you need to always stay inside your home, keep the doors and windows double-locked, never talk to someone you don't know, never let someone know your schedule and always travel in a pack. I have a whole load of fears, but I don't fear strangers; I travel alone and talk to people a lot; I drive at night or in cars that have untainted windows and generally feel safe. I view life as an adventure and while danger exists, our fears should not be allowed to dominate to the point that we fail to embrace new experiences. Be aware, be informed and take appropriate cautions, but don't let fear rule your life. Not embracing all of what life offers will keep you so grounded you will never learn to fly.
FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Just another way to harm women - make sure even the safe ones never feel safe. Be aware of your surroundings, but if you spend your entire lifenon edge and looking for an attacker, you'll get PTSD all the same. Most women aren't attacked, most that do know their attacker. And if you do live in the US and you don't feel safe, move to a safe place. Plenty of jobs in other places, work remotely etc.
Undercover 1 year ago
Meanwhile the majority of people parade detailed accounts of their lives on social media. They hold their full face in the camera and use a shady platform like Tiktok 🤦🏻♀️
MayaGeGe 1 year ago (edited)
good point. Maybe these tips should be implemented by people who actually have been giving away very personal details of their life for years on random social media platforms.
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David Paterson 1 year ago
Top tip for safety of women - don't date drunk. Danger increases exponentially with the amount of alcohol consumed. This needs to be number 1 in any list of safety tips for women.
sturmwesen 1 year ago
I would add: don't get too drunk or high if you don't have a buddy with you... it doesn't need to be your date who is dangerous
Load More Replies... Meowzers! 1 year ago
The paranoia is strong with this one. How exhausting it must be to think everyone is out to get you.
Donkeywheel 1 year ago (edited)
It’s been a long time since we’ve had this one. Just like the other times, when you have this mindset, you either need to move away from the shithole country you’re living in and/or reach for a psychiatrist to treat your paranoia. Or both.
TheAmericanAmerican 1 year ago
Not more of this "be afraid of EVERYTHING" BS plz. This is a prime example of how fear "sells" "gets the clicks". It's the online equivalent to Fox "News" for millennial, zoomers, and younger.
Mireille Oosterhof 1 year ago (edited)
Let me sum this up without reading anything: "Always be afraid in every single interaction you have with any kind of person." The reality: the chance that anything happens to you is small to nothing. Adult white women are not the prime kidnapping targets they seem to think that they are (kidnapping happens mostly to kids WITHIN THE FAMILY, or (undocumented) migrant workers), most people are just doing their job to earn a living and could not care LESS about you, and the rare chance you meet somebody who is weird, is just because they are socially weird, not because they want to rape and kill you. Sure, bad things happen to people, but I am guessing these people are still driving around in their cars, even is that is in many place thes ONE thing that might get you killed most. You can't live your life being afraid.
KillerKiwi 1 year ago
Well, the title was right. I have never heard of most of these because they are outlandish and stupid.
Carney 1 year ago
Wow! I guess if you are a woman you need to always stay inside your home, keep the doors and windows double-locked, never talk to someone you don't know, never let someone know your schedule and always travel in a pack. I have a whole load of fears, but I don't fear strangers; I travel alone and talk to people a lot; I drive at night or in cars that have untainted windows and generally feel safe. I view life as an adventure and while danger exists, our fears should not be allowed to dominate to the point that we fail to embrace new experiences. Be aware, be informed and take appropriate cautions, but don't let fear rule your life. Not embracing all of what life offers will keep you so grounded you will never learn to fly.
FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Just another way to harm women - make sure even the safe ones never feel safe. Be aware of your surroundings, but if you spend your entire lifenon edge and looking for an attacker, you'll get PTSD all the same. Most women aren't attacked, most that do know their attacker. And if you do live in the US and you don't feel safe, move to a safe place. Plenty of jobs in other places, work remotely etc.
Undercover 1 year ago
Meanwhile the majority of people parade detailed accounts of their lives on social media. They hold their full face in the camera and use a shady platform like Tiktok 🤦🏻♀️
MayaGeGe 1 year ago (edited)
good point. Maybe these tips should be implemented by people who actually have been giving away very personal details of their life for years on random social media platforms.
Load More Replies... David Paterson 1 year ago
Top tip for safety of women - don't date drunk. Danger increases exponentially with the amount of alcohol consumed. This needs to be number 1 in any list of safety tips for women.
sturmwesen 1 year ago
I would add: don't get too drunk or high if you don't have a buddy with you... it doesn't need to be your date who is dangerous
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