Tip # 2: Don’t be alone! Kindergarten teachers are very wise when they tell their young students to stay with their partner two by two. Has anyone ever read the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum? In the book the author talks about the wisdom he gained years ago when he was young. Amongst many great things he says, “ When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.”
He may or may not have realized it, but the author gave some really good self- defense advice in that statement. Think about it . . . how often do you hear that two or three people walking alone were attacked? Not often. One person is easier to attack then two, two easier than three, etc.
It is important to remember that there is safety in numbers. Don’t walk, run, or go down the hall alone, especially at dawn or dusk. Simply put, don’t be alone. If you need to go down the hall to throw out the trash or go to a laundry room, ask your roommate or partner to go with you. If you have to walk to your car from a shopping center, ask security to go with you. If you love to run, do it with a partner and pepper spray gel, in a populated area, and not at dusk or dawn. If you are working late, leave work with a fellow employee. If you have to drive at night, especially low populated areas, make sure your phone is charged, gas tank is full, car is in good working order, and don’t stop until you reach your destination.
Lastly, enjoy life with the confidence that you are taking the necessary precautions to stay safe!
Submitted by GrandMaster Janice Wood of JP Wood Martial Arts . GM Jan Wood holds a 7th degree black belt in Taekwondo, 4th degree black belt in Koryo Gumdo and 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido. She has a degree in Criminal Justice (law enforcement), and she and her husband own and operate JP Wood Martial Arts in Palatine, Illinois. She can be reached at jpwoodsmaa@msn.com.