You'll feel less vulnerable when you're traveling alone if you've bought a self-defense product to carry, but it's important to also take steps to reduce your chance of ever having to use it. Potential assailants are more likely to target those who appear to be easy victims in a variety of different ways; by learning the simple things you can do to look like less of victim, you'll be more likely to get home safely without having to use your self-defense product to fend someone off.

Put Your Smartphone Away

One of the easiest ways to be viewed as a target is to have your face buried in your smartphone. While it might be tempting to use an app, read text messages, or watch videos while you're out in public — for example, waiting at the bus stop — predators know that they can likely sneak up on you without you noticing. This is especially true if you're also wearing your ear buds. You could be attacked quickly enough that you wouldn't have time to grab your self-defense item and use it, so make a point of keeping your phone away when you need to be alert to your surroundings.

Walk With Purpose

It might seem like a small thing, but walking confidently, with your head held high and at a quick pace, can be enough to cause people not to accost you. Conversely, those who look meek or intimidated by their surroundings can often be seen as being easy targets. Regardless of where you are, walking in a confident manner can be enough to prevent yourself from being a victim.

Trust Your Gut

If you get a strong feeling that you shouldn't go somewhere, it's important to listen to that feeling. For example, if you're running late and are considering taking a shortcut down an alley, a voice in your head may tell you to avoid doing so. Don't overrule the voice because you know you're carrying a self-defense product; trusting your initial feeling can help you make smarter decisions and avoid putting yourself in harm's way.

Keep Your Self-Defense Tool Handy

There's little value in carrying a self-defense object if it's at the bottom of your purse. Keep it in your pocket and keep your hand on the item. If someone were to approach you, he could see that you're holding your hand in this manner and suspect that you may be carrying a sharp object, pepper spray, or a loud alarm. This could be enough for you to be ignored.