Tips on personal safety when out and about...

These are great! I will have to remember them for when my babies are older. I have one to add that my Mom use to always tell me, If you are going to have sex, you better be ready to be a parent. You won't necessarily get pregnant or get someone pregnant the first time but always make sure you are prepared financially and emotionally.

Good tips! It is best, especially for girls, to go out in a group. Go somewhere in a group and make sure you go back as a group. Do not leave anyone behind and you certainly should not let your girlfriends go home with any guy. I'm not sure how many people practice "speed dials" but I always find it useful. Key in all the important phone numbers on speed dial, as it could come in handy.

You know as teenagers you hear these tips all the time and yet you never really follow them until you're an adult. I used to be fearless as a teen and now looking back I realized I'm lucky to still be in one piece! I do think that a group of girls should at least have one guy with them. I know a lot of parents wouldn't agree but mine always did and I see their point. Put it this way who's safer? Two girls or a girl and a guy? I know you're all thinking two girls because, well, you know how men can be but I'm not talking about a date. Im talking about with a guy you have known forever or at least a serious boyfriend. Id say that your daughter is a lot safer with a guy around. Not only does she have protection of something goes wrong, but she's also less likely to be approached in the first place. Give it a thought

Those are fantastic tips! I don't have any children but I would like to add another tip that I have learnt from my teenage nephews and nieces, is to never leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from a stranger. We live near a university town and the spiking of drinks with the date rape drug at clubs and parties has reared its ugly head.

Absolutely fabulous tips Dani. The young kids, students in college I feel are not too worried about their surroundings. I feel they are often very comfortable in there own environment. The do not sense the sense of danger. When I was about 18 I was walking down my street, (one I walked many times) and a man came to me with a gun and was trying to drag me into a gangway. I thought the gun was fake and started laughing. When I realized he was trying to drag me into the gangway, I got away, because other cars were coming and he was nervous of getting caught. Went to my friends which was 2 houses away, her parents called the police and there were about 4 rapes in the vicinity of my home. I was very lucky. But I learned after that to be more vigilant.

Very helpful information. As teenagers and young adults, we can be careless and totally unaware of our surroundings sometimes. I always make sure I travel in a group whenever I can. We have a rule that we are to stick together at all times because we are less likely to be attacked or harassed together. I encourage women of all ages to learn some basic self-defense moves and at least carry some pepper spray.

Expanding on the car keys in hand as you approach your car tip, most car keys are now very long and pointed. Hold the car key pointed outward between your middle and ring fingers in a tight fist. Car keys can make a handy weapon if you find yourself in danger.

Keeping your assets out of site is definitely a great tip, some people just walk around flashing their jewellery. I always seem to have to ask my daughter to not text while walking down the street, she bumps into a lot of people.

Also, OP. You double-posted the following tip:
Always carry some money or a credit card separate from the rest. This way, if necessary, you can hand over your valuables to a mugger and still have the ability to get home. Always hand over your valuables, in that type of situation. They are worth nothing in comparison to you and can be replaced. You are worth everything and can never be replaced.

These are GREAT tips for both men and women. I think that being aware of your personal surroundings is a huge way to protect yourself from being robbed or worse. Paying attention is the one thing you can do to protect yourself no matter what situation you are in. Don't text or talk on the phone if you are in a situation where you need to be paying attention. Don't set a drink down and walk away only to come back to it later and make sure you have a way out...money, keys, and your ID.