Tomorrow night is your sister's bachlorette party.
So you hit the mall and treat yourself to a new outfit - including those shoes you've had your eyes on all month.
You stop and get some scented candles for your home and a new baseball cap your son has been asking for.
Now it's time to head home.
You call your girlfriend to tell her all about the hot dress you're going to wear to the party tomorrow night.
Cell phone in one hand, shopping bags in the other, you wander around the parking lot for a few minutes because you can't quite remember where you parked your car.
Suddenly, you spot a guy in your peripheral vision.
He is walking behind and just to the left of you.
But he is picking up his pace and headed in your direction.
The alarm in your head goes off.
You instinctively know you are in a danger zone.
Now what? Trust Your Instincts!
- Turn around and make eye contact.
Not an apologetic, flirty kind of eye contact, but a Dirty Harry kind of intense stare that tells him you have seen him.
You will remember him.
You will identify him and pick him out of a lineup if you had to. - Put your shopping bags down.
Be prepared to run.
Nothing in those bags is worth losing your life or safety over. - If you are on the phone, tell the person you are talking to in a loud, clear voice, that you think you are being followed and give a description of the person.
If that does not stop your follower in his tracks, call 911. - If you call 911, state your name, your exact location and tell them you are being followed.
Request that they stay on the line with you until you reach a safe location - Make yourself a tough target.
Most assailants look for the easiest prey.
Don't walk in a straight line.
Double back if you have to. - Do not go directly to your car.
Go back inside the store if you can. - If you have enough distance, face him and ask "Are you following me?"
- Don't be afraid of offending someone.
If your follower does not have evil intentions, he will likely apologize for alarming you. - Determine in your mind that you will not be a victim.
- If you have a self defense product such as pepper spray or a stun gun, be prepared to use it!