Personal safety advice

[Hennith]

I'm a local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and I received the following safety advice for runners yesterday:

ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_ev...

I thought it might be useful to share it here.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

It's interesting but makes a lot of assumptions.

Orienteering would be impossible.

[Jenwrenarm Graduate]

Sound advice. I was recently on a back road (well lit) and was worried by someone who seemed to be driving up and down in their car showing a great deal of interest. It was a bit odd so I hoofed it to a more open space instead. Was a bit scary!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Thanks for sharing I think most of it is common sense but it never hurts to be reminded. Another thing to do is carry some id in case of emergency with n.o.k. contact details, and the obvious, wear something bright, preferably with reflective markings. Stay safe everyone.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

I totally agree with you on the ID thing. It's a really good point. I wonder how many of us use the ICE number. I have my ICE (in case of emergency) number firmly placed in my contact list and on my iPod touch I have an app with it on. I know thats what the police and hospitals are trained to look for, so we are told.

[mason73 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks for this never heard of ice gunna put it inmy phone now x

[lemondoodle]

Good point re the ID - I go out with out anything, including phone or cash.

[ajwyld Graduate]

Timely reminder. I run early afternoon in a residential area so I do sometimes take off with completely empty pockets - probably not the best idea.

[Scrappydee1 Graduate]

Thankyou for this information. I am a lone runner and only seem to find time at night.

[thinlizzyIwish123 Graduate]

I tend to run very early mornings there seems only to be mainly dog walkers and people off to work but I'll make sure I won't run near parks and only run on lit up streets. I deffo need to think about an ID card or something tho. I've got a big high viz vest so could wear that but may look like a road worker lol. Will deffo take some lose change as well. You never know. I always let my hubby know when I'll roughly be back and the area where I'm running. I do change this route regularly as well.

[gingernut49 Graduate]

I always run alone, with headphones on listening to Laura, and my mobile phone has my music on it, and of course my contacts. It's commonsense to run towards oncoming traffic, though I'm usually running on pavements. I run during the day so I don't think any of this applies to me, but it's a good reminder.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I always run with my dog but no-one else. A couple of times there have been people around I didn't feel quite right about - one my dog evidently felt the same as she stood and barked and barked and barked which marked his card, and the other was sitting in his car in a dogging area (slow broadband in my area...) and I decided not to do my usual stripping off the top layer in the car to reveal my running self and wait until I was out of sight and well into the wood (I have a lightweight backpack so it was easy)

I do wish though these sorts of guidelines came backed up with figures which show where you are actually most likely to have a problem. There's taking precautions that do not involve significant compromises and there is letting fear of crime increase your risk of ill health.

[Tattoojunkie30 Graduate]

That was a nice common sense reminder....although I'm concentrating on lasting through the next section on my couch to 5k my defences are never down and more than once I have spotted someone coming towards me before they've seen me and I am always analysing them. My husband knows my route when I go jogging and for my route I jog past a lot of houses which was purposely planned and I never go without my phone.And if some ass**** tries anything they have a good chance of getting 2x0.5lb handweights to the genital area......running alone early in the morning is not a bad thing you just have to be careful and watch your surroundings....stay safe xxxx

[notbad Graduate]

Good post we should all read thanks, I have posted about this before but would like to add to the comments about ICE details you can order these which are so small they can fit on your keys or even thread on your shoelaces:

parkrun-barcode.org.uk/park...

They also scan first time every time at Parkrun (unlike my old laminated one). I do have an ICE number on my phone but it's pin locked so these are best for me.

[Tinyrun Graduate]

Good advice. Notbad I'm sure many people have a pin number on their phone, so you're right to have something else to be used for emergencies. Some things to think about carrying are:

Cash

Bus pass - if you're planning on a long run as you may get too tired to run / walk back.

Emergency contact info

List of allergies & list of important medicines if necessary

Snacks, sweets - again if you're planning on a long run.

Mobile phone

Confidence - though when I run I probably look more frazzled than confident.