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Better to be safe than sorry!I bet you have heard lots of sayings like this since you were little…."stranger danger"…"just say no!"….."green cross code" and so on. Most people tend to think that once you're old enough to walk to school on your own, or reach year 7, you don't need to hear these bits of safety advice. I admit, sending a life size fluffy bunny into a secondary school or college to explain about personal safety would be a little over the top! However, there is still plenty of safety advice which you need to be aware of and can be very important for young people getting on with the amount of stuff that you lot are dealing with! |
Now I am not about to burst into an embarrassing effort at rap, nor am I going to use words like 'cool' or 'funky'…..as it just conjures up visions of parents giving the double thumbs up as they race to the dance floor for a 'boogie' to seventies music at your cousins wedding…..and we all know that these visions should be avoided wherever possible! Being streetwise is a genuine issue for you to think about. As you get older you want to get more independent, you want to go out with your mates, visit places, do things for yourself or travel. This is great, you can get lots out of doing these things and a bit of life experience can be useful when applying to colleges, universities or for jobs. You must, however, do these things safely and this is what this article is about.
There are lots of different things that you should think about to make sure you are safe on the streets. Most of it is common sense, but easily forgotten sometimes!
Remember to let someone know where you are going, when you should be expected back and who you'll be with. This isn't so that your mum can track you down at a party and embarrass you! If something happens, people need to know where you are in order to get in touch with you or find you.
When you are walking to or from somewhere, try and make sure that you walk with someone, you could meet up with your mates before and after so that you can look out for each other. You should also avoid badly lit streets, or very quiet areas.
If you think you are being followed, cross the road and get yourself to an area with people as soon as possible. Report it to the police, your information is very important and could help someone else in the future. It is a good idea to carry some kind of personal alarm or torch. They don't cost much and could be helpful if you find yourself in a difficult situation.
Being alert and looking confident is also helpful. If you are in a strange place, try not to wander around looking lost, you are advertising yourself to pick pockets, so stay alert and try and plan your routes before your set off.
Try to avoid wandering about with your walkman on, as this limits how alert you can be to what is happening around you. It is always a good idea to plan your return journey before you go out. This will avoid you being left on your own if the evening doesn't go to plan.
Of course, when you hit 17, you and your friends may be able to drive which really helps with getting out and about! Getting a lift can help avoid problems with bus times, taxi costs or personal safety on the street, however, do you know who's driving? Ok, you can make a judgement about whether that person is safe to drive….or can you?
Are you an experienced driver and can tell how well someone drives and whether you'll be safe? Are you trained to make an assessment of whether they have been drinking or taking drugs? Does the fact that you may have been drinking blur your ability to make these decisions?
What about when you are tagging along with other mates? Do you even know the people you are getting into a car with? Are they people you can trust to take you where you have asked to go? Do any of your mates realise where you've gone and who you're with?
Think about it! Vehicles are powerful bits of machinery and require careful operation at all times. Mixed with late nights, drinks or drugs and other distractions could result in a disaster that could easily be avoided by looking after yourself and thinking about your safety.
Travelling is great and can be really exciting when you start travelling with friends rather than your usual family holidays. Travelling involves lots of different transport from buses, to trains and underground services, planes, vehicles etc. The actual travelling can often be the most stressful part, so try and reduce your stress levels by thinking about the 'getting there and back' part of going away! Public transport safety can apply to this country as well as other countries.
Definitely not! This article doesn't mean to scare you. Young people like yourselves need to be realistic. Thinking about your personal safety is very important. Being more aware will help you to avoid any uncomfortable situations. Unfortunately there are some unpleasant people about and you shouldn't let them get away with it. Be prepared! If it's you're first trip to a big city, don't be stung by a pick-pocket taking all the cash you saved. If you are going on your first holiday with you're mates, don't find yourself wandering about, lost and in the middle of nowhere with just a cactus for company!
There is lots of information available about personal safety and you need to watch out for future articles that will provide more detailed information on this subject. If in doubt speak to your Personal / Connexions Adviser for support and advice.
Road Safety - including 'Drink Driving' and 'Drug Driving' information
Metropolitan Police Streetwise Guide to Safety on the Street
Connexions - Are you Streetwise?
Good Luck
Jennie Glitherow
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