Basic safety rules that we somehow forget about

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It often seems that safety rules are written for someone else, and accidents only happen somewhere in the news. And this is a common mistake for everyone. There is no complete safety anywhere. But you can reduce risks if you know and follow at least basic rules.

House safety rules

If the doorbell rings, do not rush to open it. Especially if you are not expecting guests. Take your time to unlock the locks, even if it seems that the stranger standing behind the door is not dangerous at all.

For example, intelligent-looking people ring at the door. Pretend to be from a water inspection service, a water utility, or other credible organization. They are allowed in: they do not look like scammers.

They demonstrate a variety of devices supposedly designed to test the quality of water. They say that the water is of poor quality, they pour in terms. They assure that they will now purify this water using a special filter (new development!) And give everyone a try.

After a sample of "purified" water, the tenants of the apartment lie on the floor unconscious, and the fraudsters collect money and valuables. At best, there will be only a robbery. In the worst case, the substance added to the water turns out to be too strong, or the dose is high and not everyone wakes up.

There are other stories as well. For example, people demand to open: "We are neighbors from below, you fill us in!", And then burst into the apartment.

1. Examine the guest through the peephole before opening

If the peephole is closed - accidentally or intentionally - do not hesitate to speak from behind a closed door, get the peephole released. Until you understand who is under the door, you should not open it. And then, seeing the guest, is also not necessary.

2. The policeman must show his ID

If the person introduces himself as a police officer, demand to show his ID so that you can see him through the peephole. And even after seeing the certificate, you are not obliged to open it, if the police officer does not have a court decision to conduct a search and there was no message that a crime is being committed in the apartment. Representatives of any other organization also cannot enter you without a warrant or your invitation.

3. Do not take your eyes off a random guest if allowed to enter

Many apartment scammers work on charm. And while one is talking to the hostess, the other is examining the apartment, grabbing everything that lies in plain sight.

Do not let random people into your apartment. And if you succumbed to the charm and the guests entered - do not take your eyes off them, do not go away to bring a glass of water or look at the meter readings.

Is there even the slightest suspicion that it is not worth unlocking the locks? Don't have long conversations with a stranger: tell them that you are busy and step away from the door. If the intruder continues to annoy you, call the emergency services (112).

Street safety rules

In the dark on the street, you need to be careful: do not wear headphones, especially do not listen to loud music, do not walk through poorly lit areas where there are no people, if possible, do not walk alone. Going out in the evening or at night, girls should not wear expensive jewelry and revealing outfits, and guys should not show off their new smartphone and show how much money is in their wallet.

It would seem simple, right? And yet we all continue to walk carelessly through the dark streets.

1. Do not think that a strong man is not in danger

This is not true. Even a man with a large physique can be attacked, especially when it comes to the company of criminals or just drunk guys. We must not lose our vigilance. Carry a shocker or other means of self-defense with you, do not wear headphones, watch what is happening around.

If you are pestered with questions, behave confidently and calmly, do not insult or provoke the interlocutor. Remember, the best fight is the one that didn't happen.

Do not be ashamed to just run away: no one will appreciate your heroism, but you can seriously suffer.

2. As soon as it gets dark - be especially careful

In late autumn and winter in unfavorable areas, it is dangerous to walk even at seven or eight o'clock in the evening. If you return home after dark, be very careful.

Choose lighted sections of the road, do not take a shortcut through dark alleys.

Notice that someone is following you? Have the slightest suspicion that you might be attacked? Call the person who is waiting for you at home, or just a relative or friend. Speak in a calm and confident voice, as if nothing bothers you: “I’m just walking through the park, I’ll be home soon. You can go to meet me, we will go to the store. This technique does not always work, but it still often helps to scare off the attacker.

3. Even if you know a shortcut, choose crowded, lit places

If you constantly take shortcuts through wasteland or dark alleys, it may seem that everything is in order and nothing threatens you. Yes - for the time being. It is important to understand that a familiar route does not mean a safe route. In deserted places, there is a higher risk of encountering a drunken company or a burglar.

Better to reduce the chances of such a meeting to a minimum - to choose a safer route, even if it is longer. If this is not possible, it is advisable at least not to return home alone. Still, we are talking about a situation where one collision can be fatal.

4. Don't be heroes unnecessarily

Having learned a couple of tricks or putting a gas canister in a bag, a person thinks that now he is definitely safe. He becomes reckless, and in some cases even tries to be heroic when he shouldn't.

Keep in mind: If an attacker who only intended to take away his purse meets an unsuccessful but self-confident rebuff, he may become nervous. And instead of a simple robbery, beat the victim.

If it is possible to escape without coming into contact with dangerous people, then it is better to do so.

5. Keep track of things when leaving the car

Do you think parking is a secure place? This is not true. Intruders can attack the driver getting out of the car. Another option is to walk to an open door, grab your bag and run away.

To avoid this, do not rush to get out of the car. First, make sure that there are no suspicious people nearby, for example, a guy who shifts from foot to foot or walks very slowly to the car, looking in your direction. Place your purse, bag, documents and wallet so that they cannot be easily grabbed, or take it with you. Do not leave the doors open if you are going to take things from the trunk, and vice versa.

6. Having bought a remedy, practice using it and keep it ready

Typical story: a girl buys a can of gas without even trying to figure out how it works, and puts it in the bottom of her bag. It seems to her that, if necessary, she will easily get it and use it. But during an attack, everything goes according to a different scenario: the girl simply does not have time to get the spray can, and if she does, in fear she can grab it incorrectly and accidentally splash it in her face.

It is important to understand that the spray will not protect you while it lies at the bottom of the bag.

Returning home in the evening, put it in your pocket. If you feel danger, take it in your hand. And first practice using it in order to be able to repulse the attacker.

It is better not to buy a gas canister or other self-defense means at all than to purchase and not learn how to use them.

What is important to know when choosing a security product:

• The gas canister is suitable for protection in an open space (outdoors or in a large room). They splashed, being at a distance of 1-2 meters, and ran away. A shocker with a firing cartridge is also suitable. They fired from afar and ran away.
• If you use a spray can indoors or in a crowd where you can hook others, then harm will be done not only to the one from whom you are protecting. In an elevator, a narrow corridor or on a staircase, you should not use a gas canister, the gas will affect you too.
• It is better to use a stun gun indoors or in a crowd. They gave a discharge and ran away.

After purchasing the protective equipment, carefully read the instructions and practice using it. Just don't test the shocker on living things.

Remember that these security measures do not completely protect you. After using a spray can or a shocker, do not stand watching the result. Run away quickly from the scene. And do not forget to report the attack to the police: it can save other people from trouble.

Public safety rules

It is easy to feel safe in shopping centers, railway stations, cinemas, because there are a lot of people nearby, there are guards and police officers. But even here it is worth staying vigilant and avoiding common mistakes.

On October 8, 2016, a 17-year-old guy with an ax and a chainsaw, packed in a guitar case, entered the New Europe shopping center in Minsk. He took out the chainsaw, started it and attacked the woman. Having dealt with one victim, he grabbed an ax and rushed to the other. As a result, one person died, two more were seriously injured.

Nobody was ready for this. The people who saw the armed man did not call the guards, did not run away from him. When the attack occurred, someone rushed to the exit in panic, and someone, not yet seeing the perpetrator, walked to the scene to see what had happened.

This is not the first time a public attack has occurred. And most importantly, it is far from the last. It doesn't matter how safe you imagine your city and places you frequent. Tragedy can repeat itself anywhere.

1. Pay attention to strange behavior of people

If you see an armed person, especially if he behaves inappropriately, stay as far away from him as you can.

To reduce risks:

• In restaurants and cafes, if possible, sit facing the exit.
• Pay attention to the people around you.
• Always perceive inappropriate, abnormal, especially aggressive or defiant behavior of other people as a threat.

You should be alerted by excessive nervousness or, on the contrary, decisiveness, a crazy look, an angry expression on your face. Don't make allowances for age: the attacker could very well be a teenager. If you see a suspicious person, immediately inform the guard or policeman about it and do not wait for the development of events, leave.

2. Do not try to calm down an aggressive person

One of the most terrible mistakes that are made when confronted with an aggressively-minded armed person is an attempt to talk, to convince. It may seem to you that you are able to stop the attacker with the right words. This is not true. As a rule, such crimes are committed by mentally unhealthy people with persistent delusional beliefs, which only professionals with special training can overcome - and even then not always.

Don't enter into dialogue. If an aggressive person asks you a question, answer in monosyllables whenever possible. Do not show any strong emotions: this will most likely be misunderstood and can cause unpredictable reactions.

3. Don't stare at unusual situations

Do not try to get close to the scene. A couple of frames on your phone can get expensive. You will find out about everything later from the news.

4. Stay away from crowds if panic breaks out

When you are surrounded by many people, it seems that you are completely safe. This is not always the case. If something bad happens and panic starts, try to stay away from large crowds whenever possible. The running crowd is dangerous.

If you do find yourself among the runaways, do everything possible so as not to fall and not be pinned against a shop window or wall. Under no circumstances should you bend over the fallen thing and do not try to walk across the crowd: you will simply be swept away. If there is an opportunity to leave through the service exit or simply turn off the path - use it.

5. Do not check suspicious items yourself

Do you think you can tell the difference between a dangerous device and an accidentally forgotten bag? This is not true. The bomb can be disguised as anything. If you see a suspicious item left by someone in a building or vehicle, under no circumstances do anything with it yourself.

A suspicious item may have a strange smell, tick, or click. Other signs are electrical tape, wires, protruding antennas, similarity to standard ammunition - a grenade or a mine.

The main sign: this is an object that is definitely out of place.

Find an administration representative or security guard and report the found item. It doesn't sound so heroic, but it can keep you out of danger. Surprise bombs are often set to explode when touched.

Another rule: do not use your mobile phone next to it. Move back a few tens of meters. And do not tell everyone around about what you find: this can provoke panic.

6. Hear alerts

You know what to do if you hear the message in the Mega shopping center: “The exact time is being checked. Now is X hours X minutes "? No, don't check your watches. The correct answer is that you need to calmly, without panic, go to the exit. Because this is a special message - a warning to personnel about a possible terrorist attack or bomb explosion. Similarly, you need to act when the message "Code 1000 entered into force" - it means a fire hazard. Elimination of the threat: "After the last time check, the clock was set correctly" and "Code 1000 stopped working."

Special alert signals - codes used to convey information to staff without disturbing ordinary citizens. Most often, these signals are disguised as innocent messages. For example, British railroad workers use the phrase "Inspector Sands, go to the control room" to signal an emergency.

If you hear incomprehensible messages on the speakerphone, you see how security officers begin to gather in groups or go somewhere quickly, do not try to find out what is happening. Just walk away.

Safety checklist

1. If someone breaks on your door or insists on opening it, call the emergency services.
2. If you see an aggressive, dangerous-looking person in a public place, try to get away from him as far as possible.
3. If you are caught in a running crowd, do not stop, do not press against the wall, try to turn out of the way.
4. Do not touch suspicious objects - report them to the security officer.
5. Listen to alerts and if there is any suspicious activity in a public place, get out of there.
6. In the dark, do not walk in deserted lanes, try to walk in illuminated places.
7. Don't be ashamed to run away if you feel in danger.
8. Do not leave the doors of the machine open, do not put valuables in such a way that it is easy to grab them.
9. Once you buy protective equipment, learn how to use it and keep it ready when you go in an unsafe place.

All the safety rules discussed in this article are elementary and widely known. Here are just a few of them. And this is the choice of everyone - to hope at random or to finally accept the fact that they can learn about any of us from the sad news and protect themselves.