Out for the Night: Keeping it Safe

By Brett Reddock

You are out for the night with the girls, looking good and having a great time. Amidst all of this you didn’t notice that pill someone slipped into your drink or that non assuming person steal your wallet and personal identification from your purse.

With this in mind, when you are out for the night, consider the following (though simple, is often forgotten) to remain safe:

1. Whenever possible go out as a group, meet friends at a location and then proceed to the hot spot. The idea here is as a group you will appear less vulnerable to would be assailants, and everyone can watch-out for each other.

2. If you are not going out in a group, take a taxi. Taxi services keep a record of their customer’s pick-ups and drop-offs. Also whenever possible make sure to get picked up and dropped off at a designated address. When dropped off at home, ask the taxi driver to standby until you are safely inside.

3. Establish an agreed to meeting time, it is important to respect this time. If you are one of those people who are always late, should something happen to you, whoever you were meeting with may not think twice that something has happened to you. If you are going to be late, make sure to call, do not text; let them know where you are and when you will be arriving.

4. If you go as group or in pairs leave as you came, together! Leave together. If someone from your group wants to leave early don’t let them leave alone, either walk them to their car and or put them in a taxi. When your friend arrives at home make sure they call you or vice versa, don’t text. Remember any one can send a text message from someone else’s phone.

5. When you are at the venue, it is important to be conscious and aware of your surroundings. Note who is around you? And their demeanor, if it is unsavory leave the area and report it to security.

6. Don’t leave your purse in a conspicuous location; keep your identity in a hidden compartment of your purse or always have it with you. If it is not absolutely necessary – don’t bring a purse.

7. Be alert to groups of people who maybe concealing the area where your purse/personal belongings maybe. If you encounter this, let your friends or security know and if safe retrieve your purse/personal belongings and leave the venue.

8. If someone wants to buy you a drink – decline the offer. If you accept, attend the bar with that person, have your drink poured in a clear glass and don’t leave your drink unattended.

9. When the night is over and you are ready to hit the sack, yours or someone else’s make sure your friends are aware of where you are going. Give them a call to let them know you have arrived and where you are? If you can, provide an address if you happen to spend the night elsewhere.

10. If you drive, park your car in a well lit parking area and if possible park under a light. If available use valet service to park your car.

11. When going to your car, remotely unlock the doors once you are in close proximity to the vehicle; be careful not to unlock the car if a group of people or a suspicious individual is near your vehicle. Consider backing away and wait until those persons have left the area.

12. Listen to your gut. When the hair on the back of your neck stands up and you get this weird/curious feeling about you, listen to it. Remove yourself from the situation; rejoin your friends or a larger group of people.

One cannot live in fear or self imprisonment; by nature we are social creatures, but times have changed. Remember listen to your gut!

Brett A. Reddock, M.Sc., ABCP, SEM, is chief advisor, REDD KNIGHTS GROUP, a company specializing in security and creator of mobile app, My Safety Net.