SAFETY TIPS - 2
THESE TIPS ARE PROVIDED COURTESY OF THE OPP:
There are 2 things a person should always carry in their vehicle: a cellular phone,(Emergency phone plans can cost as little as $10 per month.) and a CALL POLICE sign. (Recommended : the rigid reflective sign that clips onto the window and stands out from the side of the vehicle.)
Dial *OPP (*677) from your cellular phone and you will be put in contact immediately with an OPP Communications Center.
You may ask yourself "Why do I need a CALL POLICE sign if I have a cell phone ? " If your vehicle breaks down, you may lose sense of your location. You can call in and give the police an idea of your general location, the make, model, and colour of your vehicle, and the police will start looking for you. However, if you provide ploice with the same information and have a CALL POLICE sign displayed on your vehicle, people driving by will call police with an exact location, and you will likely receive help much more quickly.
If you observe a CALL POLICE sign, have your passenger call in the information to the police. If you are alone, pull over safely to the side of the road , then make the call.
If someone approaches your vehicle while you are stranded, USE CAUTION, I would recommend staying inside your vehicle, roll down the window slightly, and ask them to call the police if you have not already.
DON'T PRESENT ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR A CRIMINAL TO TARGET YOU AS HIS NEXT VICTIM !
HAVE YOUR KEYS OUT and the one you intend to use ready, fisted in your hand. You won't waste time, and now you have a deadly weapon (your key) ready to use for your protection.
WALK WITH ATTITUDE and with a purpose. Keep your head up and be aware of persons and the environment around you. If you walk with your head down, and are hunched over, you are making yourself much more vulnerable.
PARK IN A WELL LIT AREA as close to the entrance of the business you intend to enter.
WATCH FOR PERSONS who appear to be loitering around your vehicle. If this occurs, CALL THE POLICE and never approach your vehicle alone!
GO WITH YOUR GUT! Listen to your inner voice. If something doesn't seem right, don't risk it, GET HELP!
ALWAYS DO A CIRCLE CHECK OF YOUR CAR . Many investigations have led police to believe that these attackers wait at areas such as service centers and watch for potential victims (eg. women travelling alone) , wait for them to enter the establishment, and then let some air out of their tires. The woman continues on her way, the tires overheat and blow , meanwhile, the attacker has followed her and has provided himself with the perfect opportunity to attack.
OTHER TIPS
Tell someone where you are going, and when you plan to arrive. Tell them the route you will be taking, make sure they know the colour, make, model, and especially the LICENCE plate number.
Remember to call and let them know that you have arrived safely.
If you become stranded,activate your hazard lights . This is the universal sign that you require help. Use the CALL POLICE sign, and hopefully you have a cellular phone , dial *OPP (*677), or 911 .
Don't let anyone in your car to try and start it. If you can't start it, they won't be able to, and it's simply not worth the risk.
If you think you are being followed when you are driving, CALL POLICE immediately. Try to get the licence plate number of the suspect vehicle and write it down if you can ( or record it on a microcassette recorder if you have one ). Try to stay in lighted and well populated areas until police arrive; make a visible point to the suspect that you are using a cell phone.... it may deter them from attacking..... head for a police station.
Carry a whistle (the louder, the better).
If you are attacked and all the attacker wants is your car, your purse, your jewellry, etc., DON'T RESIST, these items can be replaced , but you cannot be!
If you are attacked and about to be raped, it becomes quite personal as to whether or not you should resist. We all bring what we call in policing 'Impact Factors' to these types of situations. Impact Factors are things like your gender, your size, your previous training, your level of fitness, or perhaps you have a disability. I know that if I was in such a situation, I would be fighting with everything I have both mentally and physically.
LOOK FOR AN OPPORTUNITY. Run, scream, yell, do whatever you have to do to survive.
If possible, try to observe and remember identifying points about your attacker. Things like complexion, body build, tatoos, height, weight, age, speech, type of clothing, etc.
There is a lot of good information out there if you go looking for it. YOUR LIFE IS WORTH IT! Consider taking a self-defence course, by educating yourself , you make yourself stronger and safer!
