Watch Your Back: 11 Ways Women Can Protect Themselves

Turn away from the tweet.

How many times have your found yourself with your head buried in Facebook while you wait for the train?  Or maybe you’re someone who can’t go to the mailbox without being engrossed in a phone conversation about Blue Ivy’s hair care. Your cell phone naturally impairs your awareness of your surroundings.  If you absolutely must text or call someone while you’re out and about in public make an effort to pay even more attention.  Invest in an ear piece so your hands can remain free.  Keep your head up and be aware of who is around you.  Invest more of your attention into your environment than your phone call.

There are times when your phone just might work in your favor though.  I’ll never forget this time I was walking home after having lunch with friends.  We were at a park earlier and approached by this creepy guy who looked like a straggler and he was rambling about Somalian pirates and asking us where we were from.  Don’t you know creepy guy rode up behind me on a bike as soon as I separated from my friends and was like 5 minutes from my house? I called a friend when I noticed him riding up slowly from behind me and told him where I was and to call the police if we got cut off. Your phone is good for more than Candy Crush and retweeting.