As tempting and flattering as that may be, you’re wise not to accept it. Unless you personally witnessed the bartender pour your drink and then you kept your eye on it from the time it left the bar until it was presented to you, politely decline the offer. If you know yourself well enough that you don’t think you would decline the cocktail simply because you don’t want to hurt the guy’s feelings, then accept it if you must; but do not drink it.

Don’t let your alcohol induced holiday spirit or diminishing bank balance cloud your judgment. Decide to follow this advice before you ever take one sip liquid cheer. While you’re tipsy it may be too easy to convince yourself that it’ll be okay, just this one time.

How many times have you left your drink unattended at the table while you went on the dance floor or to the bathroom? Please think twice before you do that again. Never leave your beverage unattended. Drink it before you leave the table; or simply get a fresh drink once you return.

Why is it important to have custody of the beverages you ingest?

Street Cocktails also known as Date Rape drugs include GHB, Rohypnol (”roofies”) and Ketamine (”Special K”) which are frequently used to create an environment favorable to the commission of sexual assault on unsuspecting victims. Victims may be rendered physically helpless without the ability to rebuff sexual overtures or recall the incident even after just a few hours. These drugs don’t contain any obvious smell or taste that would affect the appearance of your drink, which makes them undetectable and potentially very dangerous. Your best defense is to know what you are drinking.

Make a pact with your friends to watch each other’s backs and also keep an eye on their drinks. Be especially alert to any odd behavior exhibited by friends and know that they are watching for the same in you. Anyone exhibiting characteristics described above could pose a risk to you and themselves.

Drinking responsibly has taken on an additional meaning. Have fun; but be safe.

Here’s to a safe Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Yet consider how many people talk (or text) while walking.  Would not the same distractions apply?

Far too many people have a false sense of security when they talk on the phone while walking across campus, parking lots or strolling for exercise.  How can you possibly have keen domain awareness if you’re yapping on the phone?  You can’t.  You may feel safer with someone on the other end of the phone but you’re actually putting yourself in more danger.

There is a win/win solution –

Get your friend or loved one on the phone and provide details as to your whereabouts.  But then rather than continue talking, merely keep the line open, phone in hand at your side and walk to your destination.  This provides a much safer opportunity for you to be aware of your surroundings and notice any lurking threats.  Should you need any assistance, you already have a direct connection to someone who can get emergency personnel to you.

Now that you know the potential dangers, are you willing to try this method of walking and not talking next time you find yourself traveling by foot?

Awareness without action is worthless. – Phil McGraw

Light At Night

All too often we try to find the parking place closest to the store. However that is not necessarily the safest place. Most parking lots are (or should be) well lit. If at all possible, park next to the light post. This serves three useful purposes. First, it will give you a reference point when returning to your vehicle. Secondly, it will provide illumination for you to quickly and safely enter your vehicle; and lastly, any would-be attackers do not want to be seen. They are far less likely to target a vehicle under a light.

Back In Drive Out

Sure it may be easier to pull into a parking space; however it’s safer to back in. Take few extra moments back in so that your departure will be quick and effortless. If you encounter anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in the parking lot, you want to proceed to your vehicle, lock the doors and exit the premises as quickly as possible; backing in allows you to do so.

In Open Air, Remember Where

Whether in a shopping mall or mega store with multiple entrances, it’s easy to become preoccupied on your way out of the store. Prior to entering the building, make a mental note of your parking space and its relation to the door you enter. If you don’t exit through the same door you’ll not only have a harder time locating your vehicle, but you’ll also increase your vulnerability since you will likely have a longer trek to your vehicle. The shortest route between two points is a straight line, albeit avoiding obstacles and threat areas. If you find yourself having to walk around the side of the building in order to return to your origination point, you are more likely to become preoccupied with locating your vehicle – a major distraction that lowers your vigilance to the surrounding area.

Ignore Bad Manners

We have all experienced a greedy driver ’snake’ into the parking space you were patiently waiting for.  No doubt that it is frustrating. However rather than escalate your blood pressure over it, take a deep breath and simply look for another parking place. Odds are the spot you were waiting for wasn’t near a light post or wouldn’t have afforded you the opportunity to back into it easily. Rather than let it rob you of your joy, move on and look for a better more suitable parking spot.  Be Safe!

Below is an example of one of the routes published. The article contained the entire school district. I sanitized it a bit as I clearly don’t want to perpetuate this dangerous practice.

XYZ Area Schools bus routes for 2011-12

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The following is a list of XYZ Area Schools’ bus routes for the 2011-12 school year. For more information call 555-3890.

[SPECIFIC SCHOOL ]

Driven by [Specific Bus Driver’s Name] — Bus No. 02C

The bus will leave the bus garage at 6:40 a.m. and travel north on Jebavy to Decker, East on Decker one mile turning around and backtracking. The bus then travels north on Jebavy to Angling Road, east on Angling to Beaune Road, north on Beaune to Ehler and east on Ehler to Jebavy. Then north on Jebavy to Barnhart, west on Barnhart to Sherman, south on Sherman to Shagway and west Shagway to Lincoln. The bus will then turn around and take Shagway back to Jebavy, turning south to Fountain Road, east on Fountain to Sherman, south on Sherman to Mavis, east on Mavis to Jebavy. The bus then turns south on Jebavy to Dewey, west on Dewey to Sherman where it turns around and backtracks Dewey to Jebavy. The bus then travels south on Jebavy picking up children who live on the west side of the road and continues on to the XYZ High School/Middle School complex, ABC, DEF, and GHI elementary schools.

Does anyone else see anything wrong with this practice? If I was a parent whose child rode one of these routes you can bet your bippy I would be on the phone to the school district expressing dissatisfaction over this information being so readily available to the public.

For more information on the dangers of being time and place predictable continuing reading here.

If you’ve opted to participate in the trade of goods, whether buying, selling or picking up a free item, it’s important that you exercise caution and don’t become lax about your personal safety.  Ideally buyer and seller should meet at a neutral, public location.  Though for larger items, that is not always possible.  When inviting strangers into your home for any reason, there are a few sound security precautions you should consider beforehand.

1.  If at all possible, move the item outside so that the buyer has no need to enter your home. If that is not possible, such as heavy appliances, furniture or exercise equipment, then extra precautions are necessary.

2. Under no circumstances allow any buyer to enter your home without having someone else with you during the buyer’s visit. If this is absolutely not possible, schedule the pick-up during the day, preferably while neighbors are home. Consider having the volume of a radio or television playing softly behind one of the closed doors. Briefly phoning a friend within earshot of the buyer making certain to explain that Bob from Craig’s is presently in your home picking up your piano and you will return her call after he leaves. I know of one woman who goes to the trouble preparing a light snack for the occupant watching TV behind one of the closed doors whenever a stranger must enter her home. What is incredibly ingenious about this is that she lives alone and smart as a whip.

3.  When setting up the visit, insist that the buyer provide you with a time of arrival.  They should be able narrow the arrival time down to within an hour; say, between 1:00-2:00 pm. Never let any stranger into your home when there is uncertainty.

4. Provide instruction to your buyer how to approach your home. A buyer should never be instructed to approach any area other than the main entrance to your home or office. Unless there is a risk of injury unsafe stairs or deck, for example a buyer should always be directed to the front or main entrance.

5. Prepare your home before the arrival. Expect that you will need to show the area where the larger item is located. Also give some thought to the route you will lead the buyer to the item. The path should be well lit and free of obstacles. Tightly close doors to adjoining rooms to discourage curiosity and disclosing the layout of your home. It should not be necessary to leave the buyer alone for any reason. It is also a very good idea to inspect the areas the buyer entered after departing your home. Look to ensure that nothing is out of place. Check that windows and outside doors have not been unlocked.

6. During the transaction, a flat surface may be needed to provide payment for the sale of the item. Have this location prepared in advance and keep information on a need to know basis and strictly at a business level. Keep your communication on a professional basis at all times and do not allow yourself to become too friendly with the buyer you are working with. The space should be clear of personal papers, such as bank statements, schedules or photographs. This eliminates the risk to these items being intentionally or unintentionally mixed in with the buyer’s payment when he departs.

Finally, while it is unlikely, be prepared should the buyer require the use of a bathroom. If possible, one on the floor where the transaction is being completed is perfectly acceptable. Keep it as sparse as possible. Throw in some personal hygiene items associated with men for good measure like aftershave or gun oil. The choice is yours.  Happy trading and Stay Safe!

On second thought, to protect those who are in denial about the dangers of announcing to the world that you are or will be gone, I won’t share their names.  Some of the information made it way too obvious who it was, so I sanitized it a bit.  Take a lookie see at some of these recent FB Status Updates:

• Good Morning from Central Florida. Last full day in this beautiful weather
• Friday finally here, off for weekend to Mt. Pleasant
• At the hotel. Rough travel day today
• Getting packed to head to [state] for the [college]  game on Saturday
• I’m heading to the [school] meeting while hubby heads out to the [another place]
• I am getting ready to go downtown at Rosa Park Circle join me there
• Getting ready to head out the door to have some fun
• Heading to South Bend for the day
• [Name] is at Wolfgang’s Restaurant with [name] and [name]  (3 for the price of one!)

C’mon folks, this subject has been discussed ad nauseam.  Crimes can and do happen as a result of too much personal information being shared on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites.  I wonder what it will take to get through to these people that just because someone may have their privacy settings on Friends Only, unless you have a teeny tiny circle of friends you’ve allowed in, you likely don’t know everyone as well as you think you may.

Notwithstanding, in my research for this article I did come across some Honorable Mention status updates that should serve as an example to all.  These friends posted similar stories as above, only chose to report after the fact what they were up to – thereby not alerting any unscrupulous ones to an empty house.

• Was at The Winchester
• Now I am back home. And hopefully, I will get some stuff done
• Was at YMCA
• Loved seeing my mops friends this morning
• Back from the conference/casino
• Finally home for the day

While we are all anxious to hear about where you ate breakfast, what plane you boarded and what you do in your off time, it’d sure be much wiser and safer if you elected to inform all as to your whereabouts after you return from gallivanting.

XYZ PDQ – examine your zipper, pretty darn quick!  If you frequently carry your purse with the zipper open so that you can easily reach your phone or other items, zip it up!

Your purse can be used as a shield or even weapon if a threat arises.  If your pocketbook, bag or tote is wide open and you need to fling your purse toward someone with ill intentions, the contents will also spew all over the place.

Instead of worrying about your personal safety you may find yourself with skewed priorities concerned about your wallet and newest smart phone.

ZIP IT!

I highly disagree.  Money most definitely should slow you down.

Cold hard American cash is quite lovely to use. People shouldn’t be made to feel ostracized or rushed for using it.  Too many times when I have been at a gas station or store and opted to use cash, I have had people nipping at my heels for me to get the heck out of the way the second the cashier placed the change into my hands.

Are we really in that much of a hurry that we can’t allow the person in front of us 12 extra seconds (or less) to place the change into her wallet and purse, then gather herself before leaving the cashier counter?

And you who allow yourself to be bullied and step away from the counter with your wallet wide open, cash still in your hand – why do you make yourself vulnerable by leaving before you’ve gathered your belongings and cash?  That is just asking for trouble.

So what if the person behind you starts huffing or making a rude comment – we’re talking all of twelve seconds to fold your dollar bills back into your wallet and place your thirteen cents change back into the proper compartment before grabbing your keys and zipping up your purse.

I so very often mention the importance of having domain awareness at all times.  If you’re juggling money, a receipt, belongings and an open purse do you really think you’re fully capable of having keen awareness to your surroundings?  Or is it possible you’re sending a message that you’re easy prey because you’re distracted in four different directions at once?

The next time you’re at a counter stopped to pay for something; take a deep breath, ignore anyone behind you who has decided that 12 seconds is going to make or break their life, and gather yourself before you leave.

We only get one life – make the best of it and stay safe!

This is not the first time I’ve talked about how most assaults are preventable.  What saddens me is that there have been numerous news programs this week talking with personal safety “experts” who have recommended carrying a whistle and providing self defense instruction on what to do in the event of an attack.  Yet there has been no mention of avoiding an attack all together.  What about prevention and being on the offense instead of highlighting the defense?

Stories of joggers being attacked, raped and murdered are not new.  Almost every case resulted in a jogger who was out alone in an isolated area.

Even the Surgeon General warns us that cigarettes cause cancers, results in fetal injury and is dangerous to your health.  Do we need to have an official SG warning that jogging alone in isolated areas has been known to cause death?

Sure, we can introduce more legislation pertaining to the criminal justice system, and that very well may be needed.  But isn’t there an immediate, easily obtainable fix?  Do not jog alone and avoid isolated areas. Period.

It sure sounds simple enough.  Though the fact is there will continue to be outdoor activities, such as jogging or cycling, that enthusiasts will continue to engage in – alone.  If you’re choosing to do so – at least do all within your span of control to avoid becoming a victim.

Despite recent headlines, you’re still going to jog alone – aren’t you? So I might as well give you some crime avoidance tips:

The nature of these sports compels us to overtake uncleared space as we advance along the route, thus reducing needed reaction time should a threat occur. Unless you consider a bicycle pump or a size 8 running shoe as defensive tools, you rely heavily on the senses to alert you to dangers that may be encountered and to figure out a Plan B should the need arise.

It’s Got a Good Beat and It’s Easy to Jog To

Unfortunately, one scenario that can be seen time and time again is runners and cyclists wearing ear buds and keeping pace with the aid their iPod. If you ever what to signal “distracted and vulnerable” to an assailant, there is better way then by huffing and puffing while bobbing your head to the beat of Beyonce’s Single Ladies.

Chance are better than even that at some point you’ll step off a curb or ride directly in the path of some similarly distracted motorist who is listening to Rocky’s Theme Song, Gonna Fly Now. Not the type of meeting that leads to “Happily ever after.”

Dispense with the ear buds. Unless you’re running with a pack of Secret Service agents at your heels, you’re traveling much too lightly in most instances to defend yourself -  unless of course, you can outrun your attacker. Your senses need to be heightened and remain sharp.

It’s Better With a Buddy

Instead of jogging alone just please find a partner who enjoys the sport as much as you, someone you can rely on to keep an activity schedule that works for you. Together you can increase your degree of vigilance and reduce vulnerability. In addition, the time may prove to be more enjoyable if you find someone to share it with. Another benefit comes from the subtle competition that occurs between you and your partner and the discovery that she or he is wheezing just as hard as you are.  If you can’t find someone you’re either not looking hard enough or perhaps you should stay inside your home and jog on your Rebounder trampoline.

Don’t Take off Willy Nilly

Know the route and let others know it too. Drive as much of the route as possible beforehand becoming as familiar with it as possible. Look for blind spots, low lying or wooded areas. Also, remain alert for designated parking areas or rest spots along your route where vehicles may remain parked for periods of time without raising suspicions. These are danger points for joggers, hikers and others; particularly if traveling alone and on the fringes of populated areas. When you are able to describe to others the route from start to finish, you’ll have done your homework. Be sure to plan enough time for your outing that allows you a return to your safe area well before night falls. If you need to cut the run or ride short, then so be it or put it off for another day.

360 Degree of Awareness

During the outing, keep alert for others along your trail. If your route is one well-known and exclusive to runners, your sense of security should immediately heighten if you come into contact with anyone who does not fit the normal activity profile. Always maintain a 360 degree of awareness from start to finish.

If running alone don’t push yourself to the point of physical exhaustion. You’ll be physically less able to fend off an attacker if you are overtaxed and out of breath. And since you will be short-winded your ability to yell or scream for assistance will be at its limits also. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a whistle with you (yes, just like that little expert on TV was saying). Invest in one that uses a plastic or wood ball which can be found at most sporting good stores. Pair this with a detachable lanyard and you’ll be in business.

Lastly, I encourage you to cast off any mind set of “It won’t happen to me.” Be vigilant; be prudent; but don’t be so overconfident that you take off for a jog or bike ride with a naive sense of security. It’s difficult to be taken by surprise when you are well prepared while enjoying your favorite sport.

Be safe!

p.s. – Jogging alone: just don’t do it!

Ever leave a store only to find yourself wandering around the parking lot trying to figure where you left your vehicle?  It’s happened to most at one time or another.

If you’re focused on finding your treasured four wheeled transport do you really think you have a keen sense of domain awareness at that time?  Would you even know if danger was lurking? No, probably not.

Criminal minds love to find easy prey who are wandering around aimlessly looking for their vehicles; snatching a victim has never been easier.  These wanderers are distracted and focused on only one thing at that moment, “Dangnabbit, where did I park?”

I talk much about the importance of not being time and place predictable.  Yet if you find yourself absent minded when it comes to where you park your car, parking lots are one exception to being place predictable.  Though I’d still encourage you not to have the same routine with regard to what day and time you go to certain locations.

I’ve been guilty of losing my car, too.  We simply have so much on our plates and so many things to get done in one day that if I have to take time out to go to the grocery store, rest assured I’m also thinking about the dozen other things that aren’t getting accomplished at that moment.

Weigh your options – is it better to park in a different location each time and risk doing the Wandering Waltz?  Or perhaps if you always park near a certain end of the building (near the pharmacy or garden center perhaps) will you have a better opportunity to then proceed quickly to your vehicle, load it up with your newly purchased treasures and promptly exit?  I choose the latter.

You can never be too busy to practice crime avoidance.  Stop whatever you’re doing at the moment you park your vehicle.  Hang up the phone; stop thinking about what else needs to be done before the sun sets; just stop and pause.  Take a look where you parked.  Where is it in relation to the nearest building?  What row is it in?  Is it near a light post?  Pull a Sarah Palin and write it down on your hand if you need to.  There is certainly no crime in that.

Here’s hoping the next time you exit a store you won’t find yourself doing the Wandering Waltz to the tune of “Dangnabbit, Where Did I Park?”

Be safe!