How to Stay Safe on Solo Dates
- Share your location with your bestie or a family member. There are several apps to help trusted family and friends look out for you while you’re out and about. Life 360, iSharing, Google Maps, Apple Find My, and Glympse are some of the more popular ones you can download.
- Plan your route ahead of time to be sure you know where you’re going. You will put yourself in a vulnerable position if you’re walking around confused and lost.
- Walk confidently and with purpose. You can let people know that you are aware of them by making eye contact. This can help deter any possible issues.
- Be present and aware of your surroundings. Try to avoid being distracted by your phone or digging through your purse. If you prefer walking with headphones, leave one out so you can hear what is going on around you. I recommend that you avoid wearing noise cancelling headphones, so you can be aware of your surroundings.
- Walk in well lit, populated streets. Avoid walking in dark alleys or secluded spots. If you feel like someone may be following you, find a group to walk closely behind. This has helped me on more than one occasion. If necessary, go to a more public place and ask for help.
- Consider extra safety precautions. I personally carry pepper spray on my keys. I don’t think you can’t be too careful these days. If this doesn’t appeal to you, there are small but extremely loud alarms you can add to your key ring. Another option is to take a self defense class.
- Never EVER leave your food and drinks unattended. I can’t emphasize this one enough. We shouldn’t live in fear, but we need to be realistic. It only takes a second for someone to slip something in your drink. Use the restroom before you order or wait until after you finish eating. Make sure you have everything you need before you sit down, so you don’t need to get up to grab napkins, straws, etc. Drink covers can be used to prevent spiking if you’re going to be in a more social situation.
- Trust your instincts! If someone or something feels off, then it probably is. Don’t let anyone (or yourself) talk you out of what your intuition is telling you.