All Joggers & Walkers - Keep Personal Safety A #1 Priority

Posted on August 13, 2009
Filed Under Gut-feelings on Personal Safety, Jogging Safety, Personal Safety, Personal protection devices, Protection Devices

Are you are an avid jogger or power walker? If so, make sure your personal safety is a #1 priority as you get ready for your early morning or late evening jog or walk.

As you are getting ready for your jog/walk - strapping on the iPod and earphones – be aware that there may be some "crazies" around your jogging trail looking for someone just like you – happy go lucky and slightly unaware that anything “bad” could happen to you.

When jogging or walking, you may not always hear someone coming up behind you – especially with your headphones on or talking on your cell phone – so make sure you take the volume and distractions into consideration. The majority of attackers come from behind so as you pass someone and he smiles and waves, be aware, peer over your shoulder just to make sure he hasn’t switched gears in your direction and is now behind you.

The number of women joggers/walkers who have been attacked, assaulted, and even murdered over the last five years is staggering. With proper security and safety awareness, a self-defense mindset, and carrying some type of a personal protection device(s), you can become a woman warrior on the road….to better health and safety!

Here are some personal safety jogging and walking tips that can help keep you safe and alive:

1. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings and the people you are coming into contact with along the walking - jogging path.

2. If you must jog/walk alone, be aware of your surroundings especially when near secluded areas. Try to walk with a partner or take your dog along.

3. Carefully observe male jogger/walkers as you pass them. If you notice anything strange or you have an instinctively bad feeling (gut feeling), remove yourself from that situation right away. Trust your first gut instinct - it’s usually right!

4. Carry some type of personal protection/safety device – like a TASER C2, Mace Pepper Spray “Hot Walkers” walking weights, Pepper Spray, or a Personal Alarm w/lights.

5. If you have headphones on, make sure you can hear noise – like sirens or someone approaching you quickly. Don’t become so distracted with listening to your MP3, music, or talking on a cell phone that you fail to see signals of an oncoming attack. You need to stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you.

6. If you must jog/walk at night, do so in well-lit, busy areas and with a partner. Wear a reflective vest or some attire so you are visible for cars and others to see.

7. If you are wearing a halter top and short shorts – be EXTRA, EXTRA aware of others around you. We should be able to wear what we want when we want, but the fact is there are idiots out there that prey on women – especially those dressed scantily. Become knowledgeable of what to do in case of an attack. A self-defense class teaches techniques to protect and defend yourself enough to get away to safety. Consider carrying some type of personal protection AND cell phone with you when you jog or walk.

8. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. If something happens and you don’t return when expected, people know where you had planned to do your jogging/walking.

Keep up your workout program of jogging or walking but be smart and always keep your personal safety first and foremost!

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

Here are (2) personal protection devices you might want to consider as you do your daily jogging or walking:

Mace Hot-Walkers