How to Avoid Getting Jumped (10 Must-Know Tips for Personal Safety)

Co-authored by Saul Jaeger, MS and Kira Jan

Last Updated: June 28, 2021 References

You’re walking home or just walking around, and you start to get a bad feeling about the area. Maybe you think people are following you, or maybe you’re just in unfamiliar territory. What should you do? While it’s ideal to walk with a buddy and to avoid unfamiliar or dangerous places—especially at night—we know that’s not always possible. To help you avoid being a target, we’ve compiled a list of tips that can help you stay safe when you’re afraid of getting jumped.

1

Stay off your phone and stay alert.

Keep your valuable technology hidden and stop distractions. Contrary to popular belief, being on your phone isn’t likely to deter attackers since it actually signals that you’re distracted and easy to attack. Likewise, avoid walking with headphones because you won’t be able to pay as close of attention to noises around you.^{[1]
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Research source}^{[2]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}

2

Wear casual, comfortable clothes.

Pick clothes that will allow you to run away if you’re attacked. Avoid wearing expensive-looking clothes, showing off flashy accessories, or carrying designer bags.^{[3]
X
Research source} To make yourself look like a less valuable target, wear gym clothes or worn-out clothes and carry a gym bag.^{[4]
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- If you are carrying a valuable bag, hold your bag closer to your body instead of letting it dangle where someone can grab it.

3

Continually scan your surroundings for danger.

Avoid walking past groups of people at night. If you spot groups of people standing on the street or see someone staring at you, try to choose a different path. If you can’t take a different path home, cross the street or remain alert of whether those people are trying to approach you.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}^{[6]
X
Research source} As you assess a potentially dangerous situation, practice the OODA Loop, a system of decision-making developed by military strategists. In the OODA loop, you continually observe, orient, decide, and act.^{[7]
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- Observe your surroundings by listening and watching people around you.
- Orient yourself by comparing what you see to what you would normally expect from a safe situation.
- Decide whether the people you see pose a threat to you. Do they seem angry? Are they yelling or staring at you intently?
- Act by running away or calling for help.

4

Walk with strong strides.

Move your feet with purpose and let your arms swing. By walking dynamically and with confidence, you make yourself seem strong and difficult to harass. Attackers are more likely to pick you if you look like a weak target.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}^{[9]
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Research source}
- Look bigger and more confident by keeping your chin up, spine straight, and preventing your shoulders from hunching.
- Walk briskly to seem more athletic than other potential victims. Just don’t walk too fast, or you’ll draw attention to yourself.

5

Stay close to the curb.

Avoid walking past bushes, doorways, or alleys. Walking on the sidewalk close to the curb allows you to avoid places where people might be hiding and waiting to ambush you. As you walk around building corners, take wide turns so you have more time to assess who is on the other side.^{[10]
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- If you can’t stay close to the curb, just make sure to avoid alleys, vacant lots, and wooded areas.^{[11]
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- If you’re not able to stay on the sidewalk, walk against the flow of car traffic. That way, it’ll be harder for you to be pulled into a car by a thief or kidnapper.

6

Pretend you know exactly where you’re going.

Don’t ask for directions, and don’t pull out a GPS or map. Attackers and muggers are more likely to prey on you if you seem unsure or lost. To act like you know the neighborhood and have a route home, take turns and cross the street without hesitating. Once you've reached a busy store, restaurant, or a well-lit place, you can ask for directions or use your phone to figure out where you are.^{[12]
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- On the other hand, if you know your route well and are concerned you’re being followed, pick a zig-zagging or less-intuitive path to get where you want to go. You’ll get the opportunity to lose the person following you and verify that you’re being stalked.^{[13]
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7

Don’t talk to strangers.

Just keep walking. If you’re feeling unsure about someone approaching you, check in with your instincts regarding the situation. If you feel threatened in any way, walk right past the person and don’t break your stride. When you stop, you give a potential muggers or attacker the chance to distract you.^{[14]
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- Potential attackers might ask for the time or for directions. Once you look down to check your watch or phone, you put yourself into a vulnerable position by taking your eyes off the potential mugger.

8

Scream, blow a whistle, or use an airhorn.

Make lots of noise to alert people around you if you’re in danger. If someone is following you in a public place, ask for help from passers-by. If your attacker confronts you, scream immediately. Resisting your attackers makes you a more difficult target, and noise might alert others to intervene.^{[15]
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- For example, you could tell someone, “I’m afraid this person is following me. Can you help me?”

9

Leave the area and go to a populated place if possible

Move somewhere with a crowd, lights, and security cameras. If you think you’re in danger of getting jumped, go into a store, restaurant, or bank where you can find other people. If there’s a security guard who works at the establishment, you can let them know the situation or even ask them to walk you to your car.^{[16]
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10

Report suspicious activity or danger.

Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Let them know if you’re being followed or feel threatened by someone. Try to give the police information on the suspicious person’s sex, race, age, hair and eye color as well as any other identifying features.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}^{[18]
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Research source}

Warnings

Resist the urge to fight back in a robbery, or you’ll escalate the situation. Your life is worth more than whatever you’re carrying. Give up your valuables and possessions at a distance from the attacker rather than trying to physically overpower them.^{[19]
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