Medical Monday: Safety tips to prevent physical attacks

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Navicent Health wants women of all ages to be prepared to ward off attackers in any circumstance. 

According to the hospital, “of the 368 victims of intentional injury treated in Navicent Health’s Trauma Team in 2014, 58 were women ages 18-72.”

Navicent Health’s Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator, Kristal Smith, shares tips women can use to prevent attacks. 

Her top 9 safety tips are: 

1. Be aware
2. Avoid being alone
3. Take advantage of community resources
4. Escape
5. Remember you can and should physically defend yourself
6. Use pepper spray and self-defense aids
7. Never open your door if you are uncertain
8. Lock all doors and keep windows up when driving
9. Be safe in cyberspace 

For more tips, visit www.safealone.org.