Think you are street smart? Even if you are a straight A student at school, you still might be clueless when it comes to getting from point A to point B (and then safely navigating around point B when you get there).
Don’t get caught in a strange place without these basic safety tips. It might be the difference between making it home and getting kidnapped, or just plain losing your prized possessions!
1. Know Where You’re Going
Before you set out in an unfamiliar area, ask around from people who are familiar with the place (you wouldn’t want to be in some parts of Lagos once night falls). And thank God for the internet, activate Google Maps on your phone, and be saved from costly ignorance.
2. Know Where Your Stuff Is
Never leave your backpack or shopping bags out of your sight (even at the mall!). Carry your wallet in your front pocket (not your back pocket) or in a bag that you keep close to your body. Make a mental note of all of your essentials – like your phone and your wallet – and be sure you have got them at all times (always pat the pocket where they are to be sure they are still there).
Also, when getting off the bus for someone who wants to get down, hook your fingers into the pockets where you have your valuables (there are pick-pockets at bus stops who pretend they are also waiting for a bus!)
3. Always Carry Your Phone
Never leave home without your cell phone: it’s your lifeline if you get lost, and it can connect you with your family in the case of an emergency. If you don’t have a phone, then be sure you are traveling with someone who does, and always have it fully charged.
You don’t have to be suspicious of every stranger you see, but be aware that there are bad eggs in every city. If a friendly stranger tries to engage you in a boring conversation, their partner might be using the moment to steal your bag. If someone approaches you with a sob story about how they need your help to get home (Brother, please help me, God will bless you), they may be trying to scam you out of your money.
What You Should Do When You’ve Been Kidnapped 1
5. Pick Your Streets Smart
If you have the choice between a busy street and a deserted one, always pick the busy one. Thieves are more likely to attack on dark, empty sidewalks than on ones with a crowd. Plus, if something does happen on a busy street, there are open stores to run into and people who can hear your shouts.
6. Travel in Packs
If you can help it, don’t go anywhere – especially an unfamiliar place – without a a friend or two. If you must go out alone, be sure to tell someone exactly where you are going to be (It’s no time to be secretive because you are sneaking off to meet Chike!).
7. Don’t Let Your Music Drown You Out
There is nothing wrong with listening to your “Godwin” as you walk around town, but keep it at a low enough volume so you can still hear passing cars and pedestrians. Zoning out puts you at risk for accidents, attacks and getting lost.
8. Ignore All the Jerks
If someone catcalls or shouts something at you ( Fine girl, Miss World, My colour, My wife, Na me go marry you), just keep on walking. There’s no sense in turning a stupid comment into an argument or worse. If they continue to harass you, or if they follow you, either walk into a store and tell someone; walk – run if you must! – to the nearest police officer, or responsible adult; or take out your phone and call someone.
9. Don’t Be a Phone Zombie
Phone zombies are so engaged in their conversations or their super-important texts that they don’t watch where they are walking. Not only are they easy targets for pickpockets and bag snatchers, they also run the risk of crashing into other phone zombies.
10. When in Doubt, Run & Shout
If you follow the tips on this page, it’s pretty unlikely that something awful will happen to you out there. But if someone does try to attack you, your best option is to go into flight mode: run away as fast as you can while screaming your head off, and look for open stores or crowds of people to run into. Your attacker is way more likely to get the heck out of there.
There’s no better combination than being book smart and street smart!
