How To Stay Safe While Walking Alone Anywhere

Walking alone is a thing you do every time, whether you’re walking to work, school, the bus stop, or simply trying to get some exercise. Most people walk around alone without a second thought about where they are going, either during the day or night. However, your safety is important, and with the recent increase in crime, jogging or walking alone comes with some risks. Fortunately, this article provides some insightful tips to protect yourself and feel safe while walking alone anywhere.

Plan your route
It is safer to plan your route when walking, especially in an unfamiliar area. This isn’t only going to keep you safe but prevent you from getting lost. Planning your route means you can confidently walk since you know where you are going and how to get around in case of any unwelcome surprises. If you get lost, it is advisable to avoid aimless wandering. Instead, find the nearest supermarket, gas station, or police station and ask for directions. This may feel embarrassing, but it is better than taking unnecessary gambles, which may plunge you up in further trouble.

Inform someone about your plan
It is important to alert someone when you are going in the evening. Even if you take your dog for a stroll around the neighborhood or visit a friend nearby, informing someone about your plan is vital. Although this may seem paranoid, it can make you feel safer and reassured since somebody knows where you are and can send help when you get into trouble or injure yourself.

Take your phone along
Besides keeping you entertained during your walk, carrying your phone can also ensure your safety. Today, you can download many safety apps to make it easy to discreetly alert authorities or call for help when you feel threatened or find yourself in some danger. Likewise, there are other apps to track your location when you get lost, let’s say, during a hike. Although these tools may not prevent an attack or accident, they can help notify your friends or relevant authorities when you are in trouble.

Avoid distractions
Distraction is among the common causes of pedestrian fatalities. And one of the most significant sources of distraction is our electronic devices. It is important to avoid texting while running or walking alone. If it can’t wait, step away from other pedestrians and take a stroll until you have delivered your message. As a pedestrian, you are not the only road user, and your hearing and sight are crucial safety tools. Additionally, it is practical to avoid using headphones while walking down the street since you have to be more aware of your environment and everything around you.

Stay visible
You want to wear appropriate clothing when you are going out. It is best to wear bright colors during the day and reflective clothing during the dark to stay visible. A recent study has shown that approximately three-quarters of fatal pedestrian accidents occur at night. It is, therefore, crucial to improving your visibility when walking during the night. To avoid trips and falls, make sure to use well-lit routes and stay visible, especially when crossing the road. However, accidents do happen, and when it does, you may want to find the right accident lawyer for maximum compensation. Fortunately, a quick online search for “pedestrian accident lawyer near me” could give you access to the best-recommended lawyers for your case.

Avoid unsafe areas
Walking in a parking lot or alley places can be riskier than a well-lit area with many people. Instead of using dark, deserted areas, it is safer to use busy, well-lighted walkways to reduce the risk factors. It can also be useful to walk in familiar areas where you are known. This way, you can easily rush into a store or knock on a neighbor’s door if you feel you are being followed. Likewise, avoid pathways with thick shrubbery and empty streets.

Take a defense class
It can be helpful to learn how to fight back to stop an attack. Security experts recommend carrying a defense weapon even if you can fight back. It can be pepper spray, a Taser, or a gun. These, together with some defense lessons, can be helpful, especially when facing a few attackers. Good defense training can help you deal with a threat during an emergency until help arrives.

While following these tips can keep you safe while walking alone, it is important to be aware of your environment and any suspicious activity to keep you safe from any accident or attack.