Safety and the Single Lady Volume 6

I've spent much of my adult life as a single woman working in some questionable establishments alongside alcohol. I'd like to believe I've also become the resident expert in staying safe as a woman.

I have certainly had a few scrapes, some more serious than others. However, those can be attributed to letting my guard down and making poor choices regarding relationships, sadly. As a single woman today, one must be able and prepared to defend herself and her home. Gone are the days of the knight wearing shiny armor.

When women are taught to yell "Fire" instead of "Rape", it's pretty safe to assume we're going to have to save ourselves. That's all well and good, this is a new era, and we're supposed to be independent. That being said, let's cover the basic safety rules single women should follow:

1. Be aware. This means stop walking around with your face in your phone or with your earbuds in. Don't walk around in public having a phone conversation instead of noticing your surroundings. Pay attention to where you are and act accordingly.

The worst thing you can do to yourself is be completely oblivious to what is happening around you. Be smart. Look around. Take note of the people in your field of vision, and be prepared to exit a sketchy situation before things have a chance to escalate.

2. Keep your private matters private. I know that it's almost routine to give our information to the world via social media, but it's not smart. Everyone doesn't need to know you live alone, just had a break up, you'll be at the club on ladies night, whatever.

And stop drawing people a blueprint of your home in the backgrounds of your selfies. Be smart about who knows what. There are some genuine creeps out there. Don't draw them a map to you.

3. Get a dog. Dogs aren't just an early alert. They can mean the difference in someone having balls enough to come through that window you forgot to lock last night.

I once had a dog save me from an attempted break-in. She was my mastiff, RyLeigh, and a man was attempting entry into the back door of my home at 3am. She charged at that door like a bull in Pamplona. God bless her.

4. Don't invite strangers into your home. You don't know that guy from Tinder or those people from the club. Everyone is entitled to a good time, but your home should be your sanctuary. Keep visiting you at home limited to family and old friends. Prior to the fourth date, or if you've known someone from work under 6 months, meet them in public. Because, really, you never know.

5. Don't be afraid to fight back. I remember back when they told us to submit. Just go along; don't struggle; don’t try to save yourself. Those days are over. Make a scene. Yell fire (not rape, because they’re not coming to help if you do). These guys don’t want to be spotted, so at the first sign of a neighbor turning lights on, someone that is there solely to hurt you is going to run off.

Look into a women's self-defense class, usually offered by your local sheriff's department. They're free, and they will help you feel confident enough to fight off an intruder or attacker.

All of this is common sense to the average woman. We need to leave the mindset that we need a hero in the past. You need to have the knowledge and ability to be your own hero. Don't be afraid to save yourself.

The important thing to remember is that even if the worst should happen, that isn't your fault. This is simply a reminder that you can push back, and you should do so in any scenario that threatens your life. Don't concede. It won't save you.