Thought it Was A Good Reminder

Most of you may have gotten an email like this or seen it posted recently on Maegan's blog (I just copied it from there), but just in case you haven't seen it, here it is. Growing up my Dad taught us gals to always be aware of our surroundings, to know what is going on around you so that someone can't take you by surprise. Because we've been taught some of this stuff (thanks Dad!!!) and because I'm paranoid, when I'm out, I always make sure I have a "plan of action" if something happens. Just heard too many stories (which I don't read anymore...just another avenue to give in to fear!). Anyway, here's the info. Hope it is helpful!

"Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life. Crucial Because of recent abductions in daylight hours,refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1) Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2) Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3) If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4) Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5) A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat B) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door . Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. C) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6) ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7) If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably! in a zig -zag pattern! (I don't know about you guys, but dang, I can zig zag like nobody's business. Got that sucker DOWN...that is not even a problem ;-) Just kiddin)

8) As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP ! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9) Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ---- "

10) Saw these on a "ways to protect yourself" safety program thingy - if you are attacked when you are out, hang on to your cart, car door, bike whatever. It's gonna be pretty hard to get you AND the car door into the trunk :-).

-If you are home, do not answer the door unless you know who is on the other side (day or night). If you aren't expecting a repairman/whatever, call the company first to verify. Apparently most rapes, etc. that happen in people's homes, happen because the door was opened to them, not because they broke in. I personally don't answer the door at all if I don't know who it is. Brian answers the door when he is home. My kids are not allowed to answer the door either way.

-If someone attacts you in an elevator (or other closed area), use your legs and do everything you can to get to the door & fireman call button (whatever it's called). Your legs are much stronger than your arms.

I don't know if all of these stories are true, but I do know that stuff like this happens all the time. So, anyway, this isn't to add fear to anybody's life, just thought it might be helpful :-)