Happy Holidays - Stay Aware..Stay Alert..Stay Alive!

Posted on December 10, 2007
Filed Under Holiday Safety Awareness

The Christmas Holiday is upon us and doesn’t it seem strange to be saying “Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive” at this time of year?? If you watch TV news or listen to the radio, what do you hear? We constantly hear about children, young high school and college aged women, single and married women who have been reported missing or worse yet, found murdered. This really disturbs me and it should disturb you too, if you’re a woman. I can’t imagine what these women did to deserve this horrible fate! Only the predator who committed the crime knows the answer.

Were these women just in the wrong place at the wrong time or were they being stalked and preyed upon? When I hear of these types of crimes, I question if these women were able to do anything to protect themselves? Did they have a gut feeling that something was wrong with who they were with or their current life surroundings? Did they carry any type of personal protection that could’ve saved their life? Did they know or use any type of self-defense tactics? We will never know the answers to these questions.

But I am going to ask You .. if faced with a similar situation that would ultimately lead to your survival or your death, what would you do to save your life? Do you have a self-protection or a self-defense plan of action? We go through life thinking nothing like that will happen to us. I’m sure Laci Peterson didn’t think it would happen to her…I’m sure Natalie Holloway didn’t think it would happen to to her…and I’m sure Stacy Peterson didn’t either, but guess what….it did happen and they’re all either dead or forever missing! So what do we do?

It’s a fact, the police can’t be everywhere when a crime happens, so we need to take responsibility for learning how to defend and protect ourselves. You don’t have to go crazy and take the law into our own hands. There are many ways to stay safe in a ‘crazy, unsafe world.’

Over the holidays when you’re out shopping, going to parties, hauling your gifts back to your car or whatever, I want to ask you to do (3) things to stay safe –

1. The first thing you MUST ALWAYS do is Stay Aware of what’s going on around you. That’s your best defense. When you come out of the mall with your arms full of gifts – don’t be talking on the cell phone. Look to see who’s around your car as you approach the area. If you see anything or anyone that looks suspicious, return to the mall and alert mall security. When you get to your car, check the back seat to make sure no one is inside and quickly get in your car, lock the door, and pull out of the parking lot. Think of your personal security and safety and always have a protection plan in place if something unexpected happens.

2. Stay Alert to everyday situations and listen to your gut feelings – this is your intuition telling you something is wrong and to be on high alert. Do you carry any personal protection such as Mace/Pepper Spray, a Taser, or a personal alarm that can immediately set off a high pitch decibel noise alerting anyone nearby to your situation? One of these devices may be able to ward off an attacker, giving you time to escape or alert people that you need help. Women who travel alone should look at carrying some type of personal protection. These devices are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and can save your life.

3. When you Stay Aware and Stay Alert it helps you to Stay Alive. And that’s the Key!!! You don’t want some deranged predator taking your life or the life of someone you love. The actions I’ve described should be everyday habits. I don’t care if you live in Best Town, USA, there are still sick people out there…and ladies, if you aren’t paying close attention to what’s going on around you … you are leaving yourself vulnerable to becoming a victim of some type of assault or attack. Starting today, refuse to become a victim!

Having been in the security protection field for the last 20 years, my goal is to dig in and discuss how women can stay safe and secure each day and have a plan of action to protect themselves against an attack. Let’s learn to carry ourselves in a confident manner. How you walk, your posture, your voice, eye contact, and facial expressions communicate a lot to the predator. Your body language should say: “Move on. I’m not a good target today or anyday!!” Have a Happy & Safe Holiday.

Until next time…Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

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