The New Year may be in full swing, but it’s never too late to take steps to ensure your safety. We have a few tips to help you live a more empowered life in the new year. Make a resolution to make your safety a priority this year.
Secure Your Home
Your home should be a place where you don’t just feel safe; it should be a place where you know you are safe. There are several easy ways to make your home a bit more safe, including keeping valuables locked way, leaving on lights when you aren’t home, and making sure your garage is secure. Following these steps can help you know you’re coming home to a safe space every time you leave.
Practice Awareness and Physical Safety Best Practices When Out and About
Remember: most thieves and attackers are opportunists who are looking for an easy target. Being or
appearing to be distracted is the number one way to be a target for attackers. Whether you’re out on a run, putting groceries in your car, or leaving the office, you should practice physical presence. Walk with confidence, keep your head on a swivel, and pay attention to your surroundings. If you’re uncomfortable with someone who is in your space, let them know by looking them in the eyes and telling them to “get back!” When it comes to your personal safety, the rules of being “ladylike” go out the door.
Know How to Defend Yourself
In the chance that you are attacked, you should have a plan to defend yourself in place. The new year is a great time to finally sign up for that self-defense class or take a refresher course to remember your power. We recommend investing in a protective element like a Defense Alert Device (D.A.D.), which can help keep you safe if you should ever encounter a precarious situation.
Start an Emergency Fund
Having an emergency fund is an important aspect of living an empowered life. An emergency fund can help you get out of a bad living situation, leave a bad job, or just pay for unexpected emergencies. Unfortunately, reports show that women are less likely to have an emergency fund than men. This means you’re less likely to be able to cover the cost of an unexpected medical bill or cover rent if your income changes. It also means you may become reliant on a partner, parent, or roommate for your housing or meals, which can be a sticky situation. Make this the year you put at least a few hundred dollars in the bank and leave it there until you absolutely need it. Of course, not everyone has the ability to save money easily. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, an emergency fund may be the furthest thing from your mind. But putting away just a few dollars a week can add up.
Take Control of Your Cyber Life
If you’re like most people, you don’t just live in your physical world — you have an online life, too. Take the time to keep yourself safe from hackers and other opportunists who may take advantage of bad passwords, poor privacy settings, or other cyber laziness that can expose you to risk both online and in the real world. It’s especially important to secure smart devices like thermostats, cameras, or locks, as domestic abusers are disturbingly using these as tools of terror against their victims.
There are lots of ways you can resolve to live a more empowered life this year. Signing up for our next self-defense training class is a great way to start!
