5 Halloween safety tips for the ladies

Please note that we are NOT the original writers of this blog post. All credit goes to the original writers. Find the original post as published at this link: http://invictaselfdefense.blogspot.com/2013/10/5-halloween-safety-tips-for-ladies.html

It is the time of year – the leaves are changing colours, the air is getting cooler, and Halloween is quickly approaching. With Halloween, there are parties drinks to drink, and the opportunity to dress up. It is with increasing popularity that women are gravitating towards sexy and revealing costumes, so I believe that this is a terrific time of year to keep in mind some important safety tips when you are out and about, enjoying your Halloween festivities: 

1. Watch your drinks – Keep your drink with you at all times. Walk around with your hand covering the top of your cup so that it deters someone from slipping something in it. If someone will buy you a drink, walk to the bar and have the bartender pass you the drink personally. If you need to put your drink down even for a second, just buy a new one (it’s not worth the risk). Roofies are surprisingly easy to acquire and they are cheap. According to one American study, date rape accounts for nearly 60% of all reported rapes (Vis-A-Vis, USA, 1992.) .  Buddy System – Do your best to party with a friend, and ensure you each look out for each other. If your buddy is taking an inordinately long time in the bathroom, go check on her

if your friend appears like she has had too much to drink or things look out of kind, get her to safety; make certain you each get home safely; go to and from the party together if possible. Where and when possible, take a cab. There have been a number of assaults in cabs of inebriated girls. If you’re drunk and by yourself, make an obvious phone call to a friend or boyfriend,”I will be home in 10 minutes. I’m in a taxi at Queen W and Dufferin St.” Little acts such as this can prove to be powerful deterrents.  Cover up while in transit – I have no problem with wanting to dress in your sexiest costume, but just bear in mind that there are inherent dangers that are associated with choosing to do so. Firstly, while you’ll garner attention, you will also attract unwanted attention, which you want to be prepared for. I wish the world was different, but it isn’t. As part of your preparation, do what you can to minimize this unwanted attention by throwing a jacket or sweater over your costume when getting to your destination . When you are in a controlled environment (i.e. the party), it is easier for you to rely on the help of friends, security, and (hopefully) other party-goers if you need help.  Communicate boundaries efficiently – If you’re chatting with a cute guy, and it is the end of the night, and he is searching for more action than you’re prepared to give, make certain you convey that appropriately and effectively. “No. I don’t feel comfortable doing anything tonight.” If he presses you, be firm and simply say,”No” with your voice trailing down at the end, to show that you mean business. It’s important that the words that you say fit your vocal pitch. If your voice goes up at the end, or shows flightiness or flirtatiousness, then he’ll disregard the words you’re saying in favour for the pitch that you’re communicating. Words and pitch constantly have to match, so if your words imply business, ensure that your pitch also communicates that.  Place your phone and earbuds off – predators rely on the ability to exploit vulnerabilities, and also the fact that your eyes are on your own phone, or that you can not hear him coming from behind because you’re listening to music puts him at a marked benefit. If you’re traveling by yourself, it’s particularly important to put your phone away so that you can use your eyes to scan around your environs and know where people are in relation to you. Keep your ears open – do you hear someone walking behind you? Many women ignore the need to turn around and see who’s walking behind them from the misguided fear that they will hurt the man’s feelings or look silly for looking. It is always better to look – if he’s a nice guy who means you no harm, he will probably just feel bad for you; if he’s a potential threat, now he understands that you a) know what he looks like, b) can identify him in the future if you have to, and c) he no longer has the element of surprise working for him. 

Have fun, and be safe!