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The Personal Safety Guide
This was created with your personal safety in mind. It contains
information adapted from the Justice Institute of British
Columbia's Personal Safety Guide.
We hope this information will help people to take responsibility
for keeping each other safe.
If you need emergency assistance, Call 9-1-1.
PERSONAL SAFETY TOPICS...
Safety on Transit...
Car Safety...
If you Suspect you are Being Followed...
Obscene and Abusive Telephone Calls...
Safety While Working...
Street Safety...
Links...
Go to the end of this page...
- Carry a schedule, and know what route you will be taking.
- After dark, arrive just before the bus is due.
- Use the "Request Stop" service available on some bus routes.
- On the bus, sit at the front or near others.
- Tell the driver if you are being bothered.
Personal Safety Table of Contents...
- Lock your vehicle securely when you leave your car. Place all
valuables out of direct sight or in the trunk.
- Don't mark your keychain with your name, address, and / or
license number.
- If someone tries to get into the car, drive off immediately.
If this is not possible, use your horn to draw attention to what
is happening.
- As you approach your car, have your keys ready. Before entering
the car, check the back seat.
- Consider your surroundings. Well-lit, busy places are obviously
the best places to park. If you have to park in a poorly lit area,
or have to walk some distance to and from the car, have someone
walk with you if possible.
- Call the police if you spot any strange persons lurking around
the parking lot or your car.
- If your car breaks down, stay inside with the windows up, the
doors locked and the hood down. If somebody stops to offer help,
stay in your car, roll the window down a few inches and ask the
person to call help for you.
- Carry a large, brightly coloured "HELP, Call Police" sign in
your car for emergencies.
Personal Safety Table of Contents...
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Be suspicious. Keep looking behind you so that the person knows
you cannot be surprised.
- Cross the street or change location.
- Go to a well-lit area, enter a building, or go anywhere there
are people and phones. Call 9-1-1.
- If you are in your car, drive to the nearest open full-service
gas station or other place where there are people and phones.
(Eg: firehall, drive-through restaurant). Call 9-1-1.
- Notice and remember as much as possible.
Personal Safety Table of Contents...
- Do not talk to the caller.
- Hang up the phone normally instead of slamming it down.
- Dial *69 and record the number.
- Inform BC TEL or your local telephone company, and ask them
about service options for tracing calls or getting an unlisted
number.
- Consider calling the police and filing a report.
- Make detailed notes of times, numbers, etc. in case this
continues and charges are laid.
Personal Safety Table of Contents...
- If you are suspicious of people hanging around or receive
strange phone calls, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Know employees in other offices and be aware of their schedules.
Take the time to know who your colleagues are.
- If you feel uncomfortable after someone enters your workspace,
trust your instincts. Look directly at the person, and make it clear
that you are in charge and cannot be intimidated.
- If you feel threatened, make a scene - yell.
- Plan emergency exits, and know the locations of safe places and
the nearest phone. Stick to well-lit areas at night and use the
buddy system when leaving work.
- If somebody you work with makes you uncomfortable, discuss the
situation with a co-worker whom you trust (your supervisor or
appropriate) or with a harassment advisor. Plan your response to
potential problems.
- If you enter a washroom and you suspect that someone suspicious
might be in there, don't call out. Back out, and go to a safe area
and get help.
- If you will be working late or on a weekend, or any time that
does not conform to your normal schedule, let another staff person,
supervisor, friend or family member know where you will be and at
what times.
- If you are alone or working late and you encounter someone
unfamiliar or suspicious, indicate that you are not alone. Say
something like, "my [supervisor] will be right here and will be
able to help you."
Personal Safety Table of Contents...
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Stay in well lit
areas.
- Walk midway between curbs and buildings, avoid using alleys or
less-travelled routes between buildings, and avoid buildings.
- If you think someone is following you, consider swiftly changing
directions to face the person, and walk past them. Also consider
crossing the street, or hailing a passing taxi.
- Stay near people and avoid taking short cuts alone through
deserted places.
- Carry only necessary cards and money. Do not overburden yourself
with books or a heavy bag that may slow you down if you need to
leave an area in a hurry.
- Walk with someone else whenever possible, and set up a buddy
system with your friends.
- Do not stop to provide strangers with directions or information,
especially at night.
- Wear runners or other comfortable shoes.
- Look aware, look busy, look confident.
- When in doubt, trust your instincts.
- Carry a personal alarm on your keychain.
- When confronted, make a scene and make lots of noise. Draw
attention to yourself and the other person.
- Do not wear a personal stereo system or play music so loudly
that you are not aware of your surroundings.
Personal Safety Table of Contents...
The following links are for information purposes only. We are not responsible for the content on any of these links.
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