“They May Be Hiding”: People With “Street Smarts” Are Revealing The Crucial Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life - BuzzFeed

As a Senior Staff Writer at BuzzFeed, I cover real-life stories that explore relationships, lifestyle (including travel and beauty), and the internet's most fascinating trends.

We recently wrote a post where people with "street smarts" revealed must-know safety tips that could save your life. In the comments, more readers shared their everyday "street safety" advice for daily life or travel, and it's so important. Here's what they had to say:

"Here's one I heard years ago: If you're in trouble, always yell 'FIRE!' at the absolute top of your lungs, over and over. You are MUCH more likely to attract the attention of anyone in the area because when people hear 'fire' they assume their own lives are threatened."

"ALWAYS keep your car keys in your hand with the keys between your fingers facing outward; it's an easy weapon to poke out eyes if you're attacked."

"If you are ever on a boat, locate life vests and flares — before you greet anyone, before you stow belongings, and ALWAYS before you drink any alcohol. I was invited on a booze cruise, and all my friends and family were poking fun at me until some sketchy weather made for choppy water."

"Always carry a very bright flashlight in your purse. Have it along with your keys or in your hand at night. It can blind an attacker. Signal SOS, or alert a car coming your way if you are crossing a street or you're broken down on the side of the road. Plus, it can be just darn handy."

—Anonymous, 57, California

"When you are home alone, turn off all the lights unless you are in that room; then, make sure to keep the blinds/curtains closed. If the lights are on inside and it's dark outside, people can see you as clearly as if you were looking into a fish tank. This also applies if there is a noise or something outside that you want to check out. Turn off the lights first."

"MIND YOUR BUSINESS!!! Stop filming everything and focus on your own stuff."

"I have always impressed upon my daughter never to accept a drink she did not witness being poured by anyone. Also, if she ever walks away from her drink to use the restroom or to dance, pour it out and get a new one. Lastly, stick with bottles, not mixed drinks. Have it opened at the bar in front of you, not under the bar. You can't always trust the bartender."

"At bars, parties, etc., never leave your drink unattended, and if you do, do not drink it. Even in conversation, keep your drink in your line of sight, since the person you are talking to may have an accomplice who spikes it."

"You don't want to be on the ground in a fight or self-defense situation. (Source: my martial arts instructors.) If you're grabbed around the middle/bear-hugged, drop your center of gravity and become dead weight so that you fall out of their grip. Land on your feet spread wide apart. Do it immediately. Smash their insole with your heel. Then run like hell and make a scene."

"The best self-defense methods allow you to get away, not win a fight."

"Keep a can of long-range wasp spray in your car and in bedside table. Otherwise Mace in your purse, too."

"Or bear spray. It's like pepper spray but with a much longer range. Keeping it in your car could be lifesaving, especially if you break down at night or get a flat. Plus, it's much harder to accidentally discharge than pepper spray."

"If things get physical, do not take half-measures. You DO NOT owe an attacker mercy, kindness, or explanation. Speed, violence of action, and overwhelming force can often disable an opponent."

"Always take a 'wide turn' around corners. Never turn a corner without at least three feet of distance between you and the wall. That way, if someone is waiting on the other side, you'll see them sooner and have a better chance of evading them."

—Anonymous, 34, California

"Never enter a gas station or convenience store unless you can see the clerk. If you can't see them, they may be hiding, held by a robber, or worse!"

"If you work at a mall, and you're the last one closing your store, ask someone in mall security to escort you to your car. If there are two of you closing your store, you can walk together to the first person's car, get in, lock the doors, and then drive to the second person's car. Stay until the second person's car is locked and running. Then, you can both drive away."

"Especially for women: Avoid parking next to vans and trucks."