Bar Safety: Avoiding Criminals While Out on the Town
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If you’re thinking of hitting the bar or clubs for a bit of unwinding and relaxation, the last thing you want to think about is a criminal targeting you. After all, there’s nothing relaxing about looking over your shoulder everywhere you go! So, what can you do to keep yourself safe when you’re out on the town? Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re in a public place.
Don’t ever leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from a stranger unless you saw the bartender make it and bring it to you. Criminals can sneak drugs into drinks that make you sleepy, confused, or suggestible. Often, these drugs also have the side effect of eliminating your short-term memory, leaving you groggy and hungover the next day with little memory of what happened the night before.
The best way to avoid this is to keep your drink with you when you’re at a bar or club. If you go the bathroom, either keep your drink on your person or ask one of your friends to hold on to it while you’re gone. This will make it harder for a criminal to try to drug you.
Don’t go out on the town alone. When you’re out partying and drinking, the last thing you want is to get lost without a friend. Drinking can lower your ability to make decisions and can result in criminals targeting you since you’re less likely to put up a fight. However, if you go out with a few friends and stick together, you’re all much less likely to be targeted, as criminals prefer to avoid groups.
If you get separated from your friends, get your phone out and call someone. Even if no one picks up, keep your phone close, especially when you’re outside. Criminals are less likely to target you if they think you’re on the phone and able to easily call for help.
Don’t bother trying to find parking, just get a ride to the bar or club. This saves you a lot of trouble. For one thing, you don’t need to walk through the city at night back to your car after you’re done partying. For another thing, you won’t need to worry about drinking before you drive if you have someone come get you. And, importantly, keeping your car at home means you’re less likely to have someone try to break into it!