Thursday 02/10/14
We've all been told time and time again to have our keys in our hand when we are approaching our cars or our homes. Sure; that makes sense. Be honest; do you approach the door with the correct key in your hand, ready to insert into the lock? Or are you just like everyone else; you stand at the door, fumbling through the keys (and other rubbish) on your key ring to find the right key? The longer you stand there focusing on your keys, the longer someone has to approach you from behind. This problem is amplified if this is part of your daily routine, especially if someone unpleasant is keeping track of your movements. Someone who is routinely unaware of their environment becomes an easy and predictable victim.
When you're leaving the shopping centre; as well as having the correct key in your hand, you should have a quick look across the car park for potential trouble before leaving the safety of the mall. There's no shame in asking for one of the security guards to escort you to your car. Undesirables are less likely to hang around if they know the security team are vigilant.
I'm sure you've heard the self-defence advice of "putting your keys between your fingers" to defend yourself. I don't know if you've ever tried doing this, but realistically, an attacker isn't going to just stand there while you fumble about, trying to retrieve your keys, then allow you a little extra time to put them in place. As well as being time consuming, it weakens the structural integrity of your fist. If you don't believe me, go and grab your keys, and hold them between your fingers. It isn't very comfortable, is it? Now ask yourself, "If I punch something as solid as a human with this, what is the likely outcome?". Will you hurt the person you have punched? Maybe. Will you break one or more of your fingers in the process? More than likely. I've heard people defend this technique by saying that you could use it to blind your assailant. Maybe; if you are quick and accurate. But you had better be able to justify to the police and a magistrate why you chose to permanently blind your attacker, instead of simply running away.
One last thing, please don't hide your spare house key within six feet of the front door.