How to Walk Safely at Night

Co-authored by Adrian Tandez

Last Updated: April 28, 2021 References Approved

There are a variety of precautions that you can take to ensure your safety while walking at night. When walking at night, make sure you walk confidently and with a purpose. Avoid being distracted by your cellphone, and avoid dark alleyways and parking lots where people can easily hide. Whenever it is possible, try to walk with a friend or a dog. If not, make sure someone is aware that you will be walking alone at night in case of an emergency.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Walking with a Purpose

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Keep your head up. When walking alone at night, make sure to keep your head up and look forward. This will help you be alert and aware of your surroundings.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Adrian Tandez
Martial Arts Instructor
Expert Interview. 24 July 2019.} Do not look down or away, and only make brief eye contact with others.^{[2]
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- To avoid looking distracted, do not walk with your cell phone in your hand. If you do, you might be tempted to look at your cell phone. If you are looking at your cell phone, then you are less aware of your surroundings and more vulnerable to surprise attacks.
- Alternatively, if you feel unsafe, call a friend or family member and talk with them until you reach your destination. This way, someone knows where you are at all times.
- Avoid using headphones whilst walking, as well. Headphones reduce your awareness of your surroundings, and you might not hear somebody approach you from behind until it's too late for you to do anything.
2
Plan your route. Make sure to plan your route in advance. This way, you will know exactly where you will be going and you will be able to project confidence as you walk. Walk at a steady, brisk pace, and walk facing traffic to keep yourself visible.^{[3]
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- Do not wander aimlessly if you get lost. Find the nearest filling station, convenience store, or fast-food restaurant to ask for directions.
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3
Make sure your hands are free. Except for a flashlight, try to keep your hands free at all times. This way, you will be able to react if someone approaches you. Or, if you happen to trip and fall, you will be able to catch yourself by keeping your hands free.^{[4]
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- Place all of your personal items into one bag. This way, you can avoid having to carry multiple bags. If a dangerous situations arises, multiple bags will prevent you from being able to react quickly.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Taking the Necessary Precautions

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Carry a deterrent. Carry non-violent deterrents, like a whistle, pepper spray, or mace. A whistle will let others know if something is wrong, and the loud noise may deter potential attackers. If used properly, pepper spray or mace may be able to buy you enough time to evade a potential attacker, and seek help. If your county restricts the public from carrying substances such as mace and pepper spray, carry a flashlight, and learn how to blind, bash and dash an attacker. Blind them by shining the flashlight in their eyes, then bash them by hitting them in the face with the back of the flashlight which will distract them. Then dash by running as fast as you can away from the attacker. ^{[5]
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- When using pepper spray or mace, make sure the opening is facing away from you and towards your attacker.
2
Use a flashlight or a bike light. A flashlight or a bike light is a great accessory to carry with you as you walk at night. Even if you are walking in a well-lit area, you still may encounter dark patches. A flashlights will enable you to illuminate dark areas as you walk along. Tripping is an obvious safety issue when walking at night which can easily be avoided.^{[6]
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- Wear a headlamp to keep your hands free at all times.
3
Wear reflective clothing and comfortable footwear. Your walking clothes need to have reflective strips in the front, down and the sides, and on your back. Reflective clothing enables cars and other bikers to see you as you walk at night. Make sure to also wear comfortable shoes while you walk, like sneakers. Sneakers will enable you to walk confidently, or quickly escape a potential attacker.^{[7]
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- If you are walking home from the office, take your sneakers with you in a separate bag so you can change into them before you walk home.^{[8]
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- You can also buy a reflective vest to put on over your clothes if you do not want to change into reflective clothing every time you walk home.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Avoiding Suspicious Areas and People

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Use busy, well-lit paths. When walking at night, always use popular routes frequented by others. By using these, you decrease your chances of being alone while walking at night. Also, try to walk in familiar places where people know you, for example a neighborhood where residents know you. This way, if you feel in danger or that someone is following you, you can always knock on a neighbor's door.^{[9]
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2
Avoid dark areas. Avoid dark alleyways, corners, and parking lots. Restrict your routes to well-lit areas, and always carry a flashlight in case you encounter a dark patch in your route. Also, be aware and avoid walkways that have thick shrubbery, buildings, recesses, or other objects that can conceal people.^{[10]
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- Do not be tempted to take a shortcut through a dark alleyway or parking lot.
3
Steer away from suspicious people. If you see something or someone suspicious in the direction you are heading, then change your route immediately. Cross the road to change your path in order to avoid suspicious people and situations.^{[11]
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- If you feel like someone is following you, head toward a busy area, like a filling station, convenience store, or fast-food restaurant. Do not head towards your car or your house where you could get cornered.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Ensuring Your Safety

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Walk with a friend. When walking at night, always try to bring a friend or a dog along with you. There is safety in numbers, and you are less likely to be approached if you are with someone.^{[12]
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Notify someone. If you have to walk alone at night, let someone know that you will be walking home by yourself. Make sure to tell them your plans, travel routes, and expected arrival time.^{[13]
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- There are apps that you can download, like the Companion app, that allow your friends or family members to monitor you as you walk alone at night. The app shares your departure time, your route and your current location on the route, and will notify your friends once you have safely arrived.^{[14]
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3
Trust your instincts. Your instincts are your best allies when you are walking alone at night.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Adrian Tandez
Martial Arts Instructor
Expert Interview. 24 July 2019.} Stop and look around if you are worried someone is following you. Let the person following you know that you are aware of their presence by looking in their direction.^{[16]
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- If you are being followed, do not walk straight back to your car or house. Instead, walk to a place that is public and safe. You can either wait there until you feel that it is safe to walk again, or you can phone for a taxi to take you to your destination.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I get over my fear of walking alone?

Allyson Edwards
World Traveler & International Consultant
Allyson Edwards graduated from Stanford University with a BA in International Relations. Afterwards, she went on to facilitate International partnerships with agencies in over twenty countries, and has consulted for companies in industries across education, fintech, and retail.

Allyson Edwards

World Traveler & International Consultant

Expert Answer

If you're in an unfamiliar area, use a cab or rideshare service to get home, even if it's just a few blocks. If you take a cab, always photograph the license plate and business license before you get in.This might save you one day, but delete them when done and reached home safely.
Question

Can looking like a threat cause potential threats to see me as threatening?

Community Answer

Yes, but you should never try to be threatening as that could cause problems between you and other innocent people. Instead, just walk and mind your own business.
Question

Does this apply to cycling? Would I need to change anything?

Patrick

Community Answer

This article applies to those who use bicycles as a means of transportation. Using a bike may even be an advantage, because it's easier to flee from dangerous people and situations. Just make sure to stay on well-lit roads and know where you are going.