Safety Advice

Situational awareness is a key component of staying safe in public spaces, allowing you to recognize potential threats before they become real dangers. By staying alert and aware, you can often avoid dangerous situations altogether or prevent them from getting worse.

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5 Key Components of Situational Awareness 

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1. Observing 

• Stay Alert: Be vigilant in different environments, whether at home, school, or in public. Pay attention to the details around you, such as the people, objects, and activities occurring.

• Use All your Senses: Observe your surroundings using sight, sound, touch, and even smell. Most importantly, do not overlook your sixth sense—intuition. Always listen to your gut feeling, as it is one of the most valuable tools for keeping yourself safe.

• Recognize Patterns: Learn to identify patterns in your environment, such as regular activities and behaviors, in order to spot anything out of character.

 

2. Understanding 

• Context Matters: Understand the context of what you observe. Recognize if something or someone seems out of place. For example, it’s normal for strangers to walk in the same direction as you. However, if you’ve made several turns and crossed the street and the person is still walking behind you, it may be a sign of someone following you.

• Assess the Situation: Think about what you see and hear. Is it normal, or is something unusual happening? 

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3. Anticipating 

• Think Ahead: Consider what might happen next based on what you observe. Begin formulating a mental plan of what to do if something unexpected occurs.

• Identify Potential Risks: Be aware of potential dangers or changes in your environment. 

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4. Reacting 

• Stay Calm: Keep a clear head and avoid panic. 

• Make Decisions Quickly: Decide on the best course of action based on your observations and understanding. Trust your gut!

• Take Appropriate Action: Whether it's moving to a safer location, alerting an adult, or following a practiced emergency plan, act swiftly and appropriately. 

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5. Reflecting 

• Review the Situation: After an event, think about what happened and how you responded. 

• Learn from Experience: Use each experience to improve your situational awareness for the future. Think about what went well, and what could have gone better to improve your safety. 

• Discuss and Share: Talk about your experiences with a trusted adult to learn and help them understand situational awareness too. 

 

 Scenarios 

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Let's talk about a few specific scenarios where situational awareness can make a big difference:

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• Walking Home Alone:

  • ​Always stay on well-lit paths 

  • Avoid shortcuts through secluded areas 

  • Keep your phone accessible but make sure it is not distracting you! This means not walking and texting at the same time. This way, you can stay safe from traffic and from your surroundings, as it is easier for others to target people who are distracted while on the streets.

  • Preferably do not wear headphones while walking in public, or always make sure the soundproof setting is off and have one ear out. 

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• Public Transportation:  

  • Pay attention to who is around you 

  • If you feel uncomfortable, move to a seat that is closer to the driver or near a large group of people. 

  • You can always talk to the bus driver, but in serious situations on the skytrain where there is a trusted adult nearby, you can contact transit police either by call or text. Lookout for the little signs posted telling you the numbers of transit police. In Vancouver you can contact transit police by texting 87-77-77. Make sure you research the number for your specific city.

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• Strangers Approaching:  

  • If someone approaches you and you feel uneasy, always trust your instincts. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

  • Stay calm and collected. 

  • It’s okay to leave the area quickly or call for help. You might want to go to a public area like a mall or a busy store, as places with more people around are generally safer.

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For more information about safety, check out some of the resources in our safety resources tab!