Single Women: Safety Tips While Shopping, Driving and Parking

A married college student left her dorm at 5:00 in the morning for a jog, unaware there was a killer lurking along her path.  Are women prepared for unexpected dangers when they leave home?

Research shows that young women, ages 20-24, low income women, and some minorities maybe at risk of some type of violence at one time or another in their lives.

Single women are not just being victimized physically, but have you, as a woman, tried taking your car to a garage lately? Chances are they saw you coming and you paid more and probably didn’t get what you paid for.  Rarely do you hear about men being hijacked but women are more likely to become a victim.

A woman should examine her behavior day to day to see if she is inviting danger into her life. Leaving home, married or single, think about your car. Is it road ready? Do you have a spare? If not, do you have flat fix, flares? What about roadside service?

Tires wear out, roll over glass or nails. Flat fix will be a quick and temporary fix. Flares, let other drivers at night know something is going on while you are sitting on the side of the road.

Roadside service should be in every single woman’s budget, just in case your trouble is not a tire, or something you might fix yourself.

If you are alone and your car stops on the highway, and a stranger offers help in the day time, don’t get in the car, even to go to the next exit. Be suspicious. Follow your gut. In case you are stopped at night on the highway, keep your doors locked, windows rolled up, call a family member, friend, or your roadside service.

It is not a bad idea to keep water and some snacks in your car, just in case it takes awhile to get running again. 

What about your safety thoughts when you reach your location? If it’s indoor parking-- if there is a chance of parking close to the front door, or the elevators, do so. Stay alert to who is around and what they are doing. Think of strategies in case attacked in the parking lot, or the elevator.  It maybe better to park on the street versus an indoor garage, not well lit, or sparse foot traffic.

Single women traveling alone should carry as little as possible in your purse. Divide your money up between pockets and purse. It is better to shop with credit cards. You may want to wear a fanny pack, or a wrist wallet.

Single women traveling alone should avoid wearing expensive jewelry, or expensive looking jewelry.

Use valet parking, if it’s available. Make sure before you get into your car, you check your trunk and the back seat. 

Remember there is greater safety in numbers. Ask a friend to go with you. It is  not a bad idea to walk with your cell phone on, talking to someone, or to let family or friend know your last whereabouts, if you are not married.

If you are married, traveling single, don’t always assume your husband will be available. It cannot hurt to raise your common sense personal protection awareness.