Staying Safe While Looking Good

While safety is always something that we think about from time to time, very few of us realize how dangerous things can actually be. I don’t live in the best part of the Bay Area, but I had always assumed that the area I lived in was safer than most. It never crossed my mind to worry about if I was in danger on my daily walks to and from work and, just like many ladies out there, didn’t think twice about practically carrying my life in my purse. As those who keep up with me on Plurk or LiveJournal know, this all changed a week and a half ago when I was mugged while walking to work. Frequent readers have probably noticed how light the posts have been and this is the reason. There’s just been so much on my mind.

This post isn’t about the specific event, so I am not going to go into details. There are a few things that I would like to say though. Acts against you strip you of your feeling of personal power. You feel helpless, alone, and scared. I will say that it was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I am physically okay, but not emotionally. It’s something I don’t want anyone that I know to ever experience, and that I really wish I would have taken some personal safety precautions. Here’s a basic guide on Staying Safe While Looking Good.

While I know that there is nothing I could have done that would have stopped the act. I can’t help but keep wondering how I could have changed things if I had had some pepper spray on me at the time. It’s one of those items that we are all told we should get, we all know that we should get it, yet, for some reason, never think that we actually need to get it. Get iit. To be completely honest, I can only imagine how good it would have felt to pepper spray the eyes of the person who did this to me. Sabre is one of the best brands of pepper spray out there because it is the same strength as what police officers use. It’s available at most sporting good stores as well as online. I’d suggest picking up the Sabre Red NBCF PINK Quick Release Pepper Spray Key Ring because it supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

One of the first things that crossed my mind after the incident happened was how much I wish I had a whistle on me. When you’re in shock it’s almost impossible to find your voice. Having a whistle on hand means that you will be able to attract attention sooner than if you have to yell. Not only would you be waiting on finding your voice (and even though it’s probably only a few seconds it feels like forever), but people are much more likely to hear a whistle and respond to it than to someone yelling. There was a group of construction workers across the street when it happened – and none of them heard me yelling. If I had had a whistle on me, odds are that they would have heard that and responded. Pick up a key chain whistle, like the REI Small Whistle Key Chain, so that it’s easily accessible to you at all times.

I admit that thinking about purchasing one of these pouches is being a bit paranoid. However, if you are going on a trip or are in a situation where you need to carry important documents like your passport or Social Security card, or even a significant amount of cash, these pouches will come in incredibly handy. I remember using one when I went to Greece several years ago. You wear them underneath your clothing. Thankfully I don’t carry around important documents in my wallet and carry very little, if any, cash. However I know people who still carry around their Social Security cards in their wallets. And there are situations, like when I went to the DMV to get a new ID, where you need to have your Birth Certificate and/or your Passport on hand. These are things that you do not want to have taken from you. I’d suggest picking up either the PacSafe PouchSafe or the PacSafe CoverSafe Waist Wallet to have on hand.

Crime is something that is going to happen. No matter who you are or where you are, it is probably going to effect you during some time in your life. All you can do is be prepared. The items above are the few things that I really wish I would have had on me at the time. Please, buy them for yourself and keep them with you. If something does happen, you will be glad that you have them.