Staying Safe After Dark⚓︎

Summary⚓︎

Staying safe is highly subjective relative to the situation.

Attention

As with all of the articles in this series, this is by no means a comprehensive guide. It should be considered a practical approach.

Don't Act Like a Victim⚓︎

Be confident in yourself and be mindful of your surroundings. If you come off as timid, weak, or unobservant, it will become apparent to someone who may be looking to take advantage of you. It's especially true if you're alone, in an isolated place, or intoxicated.

Essential Guidelines

Act confident by making appropriate eye contact with people in your surroundings. Walk with purpose.
Be polite, but don't compromise yourself. If someone asks for help, it's okay to help, but do so from a safe distance if someone asks from a car, for example.
Be in a crowd or with friends whenever possible. It's a lot harder to take advantage of someone if they aren't alone. There are exceptions to this, which I'll get into later.
Be responsible. Being responsible is the most important thing you can do to help yourself. Don't drink in excess as it can compromise your judgment, have a plan for getting home, pay attention to your surroundings, etc.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings⚓︎

You don't need to be obsessive about what's happening around you, but you should take stock of things that may not seem right to you. If you get a feeling that something isn't right, there's a good chance that it isn't. Trust in that feeling.

Safety Tips

Pay attention. Avoid constant texting, having an all-consuming conversation on the phone, or anything that will make you oblivious to your surroundings.
If you're listening to headphones, it's fine as long as you make a conscious effort to stay alert. You may not hear vehicles or anything going on in the area.
Pay attention to the people around you. If there are signs of an argument or a fight that may break out, you should avoid it whenever possible.

Wear Bright Colored Clothing⚓︎

Wearing bright colors is not always possible and is optional but worth noting. You don't necessarily want to draw attention to yourself, but you might want to in the right situation. It's vital if you're out at night doing anything from going for a run to walking a dog.

Visibility Tips

Be visible. You're a lot less likely to be in a car accident while riding your bike if the cars can see you. Wearing dark clothes at night will make you practically invisible.
Traffic accidents are way more likely to happen than any crime.
Bright clothes can make you less of a target. They correlate with confidence and can be a way of staving off a potential threat because of the visibility that comes with it.

Avoid Walking in Unlit Areas⚓︎

Some of the most unfortunate things to happen to people occur in unlit areas such as alleys or parks.

Precautionary Measures

Stick to well-lit areas for walking.
The more people around, the better.

Make Sure Someone Knows Where You Are and What You're Doing⚓︎

This point is critical and cannot be stressed enough. If something happens to you, you want someone to know what you're doing and where you're going.

Safety Protocols

If you're going somewhere at night, make sure you let someone know. If something does happen to you, they'll know where to look.
If you're traveling, you should prepare an itinerary and leave it with someone you trust. Again, if something happens to you, it will be valuable to have.
Check-in regularly. If you're going to multiple locations, check-in now and then with someone so they know you made it there safely. It's also crucial if you're traveling.
Avoid a sudden crowd surge. If you're in an area and notice that there's a sudden large gathering, make sure to leave the area. It may be a demonstration, a protest, or something unexpected that could lead to violence. Whatever it is, don't be caught up in it.

Have Emergency Phone Numbers Memorized⚓︎

Memorizing phone numbers is more difficult because it's a generational problem. With the ability to have phone numbers stored in a phone, there's little reason to remember them. However, if you lose your phone, you're going to have a tough time getting in contact with anyone.

Preparedness Tips

Make a contingency plan. If you lose your phone, it gets stolen or runs out of battery, always have at least one or two phone numbers written down or memorized.
Know who to call in an emergency. It may seem obvious to call the police or fire dept in an emergency, but you should have a friend or relative that you can call as well.
Be aware of proximity. It may be nice that you have your mother's phone number memorized, but if she lives 1,000 miles away, she may not be able to help you in an emergency.

Follow the Buddy System⚓︎

If you're going out, try to go out with friends. If you do, make a plan to look after one another.

Companion Strategies

If you'll be drinking, have a designated driver.
Give the designated driver your keys to ensure no one tries to leave without them.

Always Have Money for Transportation⚓︎

Whether it's cab fare or money for the bus or subway, make sure you always have money set aside just in case.

Financial Safety Measures

Keep this money separate from the money you plan on spending while you're out.
Separating money is a good idea as well should you get robbed. Keeping money in a separate pocket or your shoe may help to ensure you still have enough to get home.

Be Familiar With the Public Transportation Schedule⚓︎

Always know when the last train or bus leaves. It's critical to ensure you aren't stranded anywhere for an extended period.

Transportation Contingencies

Make sure you have a contingency plan. If you get stranded, have the number of a cab company with you or a friend that can pick you up.
If you have to take a bus at night, sit near the driver. You're much less likely to be harassed by anyone who's intoxicated or looking for trouble.