national personal safety day - Suzy Lamplugh Trust

NATIONAL PERSONAL SAFETY DAY –READY STEADY SAFEPERSONAL SAFETY TIPS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTERSMany of the older children may be using public transport already or will be planningto use it when they start secondary school. Although it is extremely safe for youngpeople to travel by public transport there are a number of common sense tips wecan give them that will increase their safety even more.Travelling by Bus, Tram or TrainKnow where you are going and where you need to get off.Try and have your ticket, pass or change ready in your hand so your purse orwallet is out of sight.If possible, wait for a bus, tram or train in a well-lit place near other people.On a bus, it is safer to stay on the lower deck and sit near the driver orconductor.On trains avoid compartments which have no access to corridors or otherparts of the train. Try to sit with other people and avoid empty carriages.

Walking to & from the bus stop/train stationThink about the best route home and where you could go if you feltthreatened. The best idea is to head for a place where you know there willbe other people, for example a garage or shop.Try to use well lit, busy streets and avoid quiet or badly lit alleyways, subwaysor isolated parks or waste groundsTry to keep both hands free and don’t walk with your hands in your pockets.If a car drives alongside you and someone inside, who you don’t know well,starts talking to you – turn and quickly walk away in the opposite direction.Never accept a lift with a stranger or someone you don’t know very welleven if you are cold, tired or you’re late.Keep your mind on your surroundings – remember if you are wearing apersonal stereo or chatting on your mobile phone, you will not hear troubleapproaching.If you think you are being followed, trust your instincts and take action. Asconfidently as you can, cross the road turning and looking to see who isbehind you. If you are still being followed, keep moving. Make for a busyarea and tell people what is happening.Consider carrying a personal safety alarm, which can be used to shock anddisorientate an attacker giving you vital seconds to get away.