Kidnapping is a very real threat, wherever you may be in the world or whatever city you may live in. It’s not just a problem in third world or politically unstable countries. Each year, tens of thousands of adults and children go missing due to kidnapping, the reason for which may not always be related to money. To protect yourself and your family, here are tips on how to prevent kidnappers from victimizing you:
Find alternative routes
If you think there is a threat, find other streets or highways you can use when driving from home to work and back. Kidnappers rely on your routine to track you down and then look for a time when you’re most vulnerable to an attack.
Do not accept lifts offered by strangers
Once you get into a stranger’s car, you are at their mercy. They could either incapacitate you or hold you hostage and you might not have an opportunity to defend yourself.
Do not leave your doors open
Kidnappers don’t always snatch their victims off the streets. They can sometimes begin the attack right in your own home. To prevent kidnapping in your own property, close your doors and gates and install locks or alarms. The more secured you are inside, the more difficult you will be to abduct.
Let someone know where you are
If you must meet a new acquaintance, make sure someone knows where you’re going and who you’re meeting. Leave word with a family member or friend where you’re headed and if possible, give the name of the person you’re about to meet and other details you might know.
Meet them in a crowded place or somewhere other people can see you. Heavy human traffic is a major deterrent for kidnappers and may just save your life.
Tell your child to never talk to strangers
Train your children to avoid strangers, even if they seem friendly and offer gifts. If a stranger asks for help, tell your child to refuse and to call the attention of an adult immediately. If a gift is being offered, tell them not to accept anything.
Arm yourself with self-defense weapons
Other than a gun, there are weapons and gadgets you can carry with you that are very effective for preventing kidnapping. Pepper sprays, for example, are very effective for stopping an attacker and giving you sufficient time to incapacitate him/her and escape.
A stun gun is also a very important self-defense weapon to bring to help prevent a kidnapping. A stun gun is capable of bringing a sufficient bolt of electricity to shock an attacker, rendering him/her helpless for a few precious minutes so you have time to run away.
