One of the most important things you can do is to let someone know where you are going. If there’s no one else home and you are going out, leave a note, or phone or text someone to tell them where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

To help stay safe when you’re out and about:

• Go out with someone else when you can, rather than by yourself, and return home with them as well.


• Make sure you know exactly where you are going and plan how best to get there before you leave.


• Never accept a lift from someone you don’t know.


• Try to keep to well-lit main paths and walk facing the traffic on the road.


• Be aware of what is around you – choose safer routes where there are busy places, such as shops, police stations, schools or friend’s houses, rather than routes with parks, warehouses or building sites.


• If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, cross the street and find somewhere safe to get help.


• If someone approaches you and you feel scared, try to stay calm. If they ask for your bag throw it towards them and run to the nearest safe place to phone the police.


• If you feel threatened, shout ‘fire’, rather than ‘help’ as people are more likely to respond.


• Don’t be tempted to carry a weapon for protection as this just increases your chances of getting seriously hurt. A personal alarm is a much safer thing to carry.
  

For more info visit . . .

www.rospa.com

www.are-you-ok.org.uk

www.devon-cornwall.police.uk
Safety tips for ATM users.

www.shadowcs.co.uk
Crimestoppers for young people.