Living safely Part of RNIB’s Confident living series

Contents Five top tipsIntroduction Prevention and avoidanceSafe at home Out and about What now?After an incidentFurther informationWe value your feedbackAbout the Confident living series

RNIB acknowledges the assistance of Ann Elledge of Suzy Lamplugh Trust, for her help and support with the development of this information. Suzy Lamplugh Trust have kindly allowed their “Living safely” publication to be used as the basis for this booklet.

Five top tips 1. Always plan ahead. Know where you are going and how you

will get there, and think about what you will do if part of your journey goes wrong.

2. Ask your local police to carry out a free home safety check. 3. Carry the phone number of a taxi or minicab firm you have used

before. 4. Never carry your door keys with something with your address

on. 5. Remain as confident, purposeful and alert as you can.

Introduction Whether you are learning to live with losing your sight, or you have always had a sight problem, you may worry that you are an easier target for theft of personal property, anti-social behaviour or physical

or verbal attack. In fact incidents of violence and aggression are very rare, but the fear of them can stop people doing the things they want.

This guide suggests practical things you can do to help you feel and stay safe whether out and about or in the home. It is based on advice about personal safety from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which has been adapted in consultation with blind and partially sighted people. Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the leading charity on personal safety in the UK.

Everyone’s situation is different. You are the best person to decide what will work in your life and create your own personal safety plan.

By putting these ideas into practice, you can greatly improve your personal safety, giving you the confidence to live life to the full without fear.

Prevention and avoidance Anyone can reduce the chance of becoming a victim of aggression and violent behaviour, by planning ahead and knowing how to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

We all have choices, in what we do and in how we react to situations. Thinking through the options open to us and making choices to reduce risk can have a big impact on our personal safety.

The earlier we make safe choices and think about potential risks, the more likely we are to avoid them.

This section suggests how you can prevent and avoid aggression and violence developing.

You are the best person to decide what will work for you and what is practical. Think through what you already do to keep yourself safe and the “what ifs” (possible risks). Use this knowledge to help you take responsibility for your personal safety.

PLAN for your personal safety PLAN is a common sense approach to staying safe – it stands for:

Prepare. Look confident. Act to avoid risk. Never assume.

Prepare Before you set off, take a few moments to think about what you are doing, where you are going and whether there are any potential risks you can take action to avoid.

Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. This could make all the difference if help is needed.

Look confident Look purposeful, be alert, hold your head up and avoid listening to music or texting or talking on the phone while walking so that you remain aware of your surroundings.

Even if things aren’t going to plan, for example, if you have taken a wrong turning, try not to let it show. Take a few moments to think before you set off again.

Act to avoid risk If you are arranging to meet someone, choose a place you feel comfortable meeting, for example somewhere you already know or where there are other people.

Keep assessing situations to help you become aware of any risks as early as possible.

Never assume Never assume: that your fears are unfounded. Trust your instincts: they are there

to warn you of possible danger that it will not happen to you. Do not become complacent that people are what they seem.

We are safer when we consider the possibilities rather than assume.

Safe at home There are a lot of things you can do to feel safer in your own home. Make sure your doors and windows are fitted with good quality

locks. Always check who is at the door before you answer and use a

safety chain if you have one. Leave lights on when you go out or on a timer if you are on

holiday.

Your local police can carry out a free home safety check for you and advise how to make your home more secure.

Bogus callers Most people who call at your home are genuine, but a minority may be bogus callers. There are things you can do to avoid letting bogus callers in.

Ask people who they are before you let them in. If you have a security device such as a chain fitted to your front door, make sure this is on all the time.

Major companies such as gas and electric companies operate a password system where the caller has to tell you the password so that you know they are genuine. Contact your utility company to set this up.

If you have an intercom system remember to ask who the caller is and who they want to see. Avoid letting someone in if you do not know who they are.

Are they who they say they are? If they are representing a company or an organisation, ask for their ID. Some police forces, for example, carry braille ID. If you are unsure about it or they are not carrying any ID, check by calling their organisation using the phone number provided by Directory Enquiries.

Intruders Ask your local police for advice on keeping your home secure. Even if you do not have enough sight to benefit from a light, leaving a light on in your home may give the impression that there is someone at home and deter intruders.

If you come home and suspect an intruder is or has been inside, do not go in. Call the police.

You might find it beneficial, if you are going to be away from home for long periods, to leave on a light and/or a radio on a timer. Consider installing an intruder or emergency call alarm.

Emergencies In an emergency, call 999.

Nuisance or malicious phone calls When you answer the phone, answer the call with a simple “Hello” and wait for the caller to say who they are. Avoid answering the phone with your name and number.

If you are unsure of any caller you may wish to verify who they are. Ask for their number and offer to call them back.

If you receive a malicious or nuisance telephone call: avoid telling the caller you are alone or giving personal details try to keep calm and avoid reacting emotionally quietly hang up without responding make a note of the time and nature of the call.

If the problem persists or you are worried, make a note of the time and nature of the call and inform the police and your telephone provider. Your telephone provider may be able to block calls from a particular number.

Out and about Whether you are travelling, out walking or just meeting up with friends, here are some things to keep in mind.

Awareness Get to know the area where you live and areas you visit frequently such as for work. Check out locations where there are usually people, such as police and fire stations, hospitals, restaurants or shops that are open. This will help you know where to go in an emergency.

If you use a long cane, dog or other mobility aid try to keep it by your side whenever you are seated.

Personal possessions Keep some money or your travel card separate from your wallet or purse so that you can get home if it is lost or stolen.

When sitting down, loop the strap of your bag around your foot or underneath the chair leg. Some pubs and cafes have loops or clips under their tables and chairs that you can use.

Try not to draw attention to any valuables you are carrying.

If you use a wheelchair, try to keep valuables beside you, rather than at the rear of your chair.

Try to avoid carrying your door keys in the same bag as anything with your address on, such as letters, bills and bank statements.

If you have to leave articles unattended, check to see if there is a secure storage facility that you can use.

Having your possessions stolen or losing them can be frustrating and even frightening. If someone did try to take your possessions, would you give them up without a fight? You are more valuable than your possessions!

Protecting your cash When using a cash dispenser: use a machine inside a bank or building society where possible

protect your PIN by standing close and shielding the key pad with your other hand

be cautious if strangers offer to help – even if your card is stuck or you’re having difficulties. Do not allow anyone to distract you

find out if there are any talking ATMs in the area.

You may prefer to draw out cash at the counter or getting cashback at a supermarket checkout.

Avoid opening your purse, bag or wallet when you are in the queue. Put your money away before you leave the checkout or bank.

Keeping different bank notes in separate sections of your purse or wallet helps you find the right money quickly when you are out.

You can buy electronic note detectors and note checkers that help you identify banknotes from RNIB.

Mobile phones If you talk on your mobile while out and about, avoid giving too many personal details.

A mobile phone can be a great personal safety aid but can also make you more of a target: use it when you need to but be discreet.

If your mobile is stolen, do you have some phone numbers on you or memorised in case you need help? Someone nearby might let you use their phone; a passer-by or a local shop or there may be a public phone box nearby.

Your hearing can give you important signals about what is going on around you. Talking on your mobile phone or listening to music on your phone or MP3 player may make you less aware.

Out walking It can be difficult to feel confident walking, especially if you have quite recent sight loss. However, many blind and partially sighted people have learnt mobility skills which can help you become a more confident traveller, more able to find your way, avoid pavement

hazards, cross roads safely and use tactile and sound cues to keep track of your route. Your local Social Services should provide you with a mobility assessment and training from a specialist mobility skills trainer to help you feel more confident.

To help you feel safe try to keep to well-lit or busy streets, and avoid short cuts such as unlit alleyways and quiet streets.

If you become aware of a group of people who seem aggressive or threatening, move away to avoid the situation. If you are concerned for someone else’s safety, call the police when you reach a safe place. Do not try to intervene.

If you think someone is following you, see if you able to cross the road safely. If you cross the road more than once and sense that someone is still behind and seems to be following you, make for somewhere busy and where you could seek help if need be. Going back to an empty home may not be the safest thing to do.

Going out We all want to have a good time when going out during the day or at night.

Although levels of fear often increase when it is dark, the risk is not necessarily that much higher. Here are some things to keep in mind to reduce fear and risk.

Travelling with friends when you are going out or going home is a great way to keep yourself safe.

Keep in mind that alcohol and drugs reduce your: inhibitions speed of response awareness of environment ability to make safe decisions.

Public transport Preparing by planning ahead which bus, train, tube or tram you need to take and where you are going to get off is a great risk avoidance strategy. Always have a back-up plan in case something goes wrong.

Try to have your money or travel card ready so that you are not fumbling around in your purse or your wallet in public.

For train journeys, the easiest thing to do is to buy your tickets and reserve your seat over the phone or online. Have the tickets posted to you so that you won’t need to worry on the day you travel.

You can arrange, through the train operating company, for a member of staff to meet you at your local station, assist you onto the train and to be met at the other end. This reduces the risk of you being on your own on the platform.

Staying in well-lit areas and near other people can be reassuring and safer. For example, if using the tube or train, wait in an area of the platform that is well lit and by an entrance or exit.

Ask where emergency alarms and call points are on stations and trains that you use regularly if you are unable to locate them yourself.

On buses sitting close to the driver may help. There are priority seats for disabled and older passengers near the front of the bus.

If you feel at risk or you sense that the train carriage is emptying, move to a seat near other people if possible.

If you feel threatened or there is an incident, alert the driver or pull the emergency alarm. If you cannot do this, ask a fellow passenger for assistance.

Taxis and minicabs Licensed taxis are the only cabs that are legally allowed to ply for hire or be flagged down in the street. You can also book by phone, online or pick one up from a taxi stand.

Licensed minicabs (or vehicles for private hire) can only be hired by phone or from a registered office.

A licensed driver and firm are put through a security check as a safety precaution to passengers. An unlicensed minicab driver or firm has not gone through this check.

If you get into an unlicensed minicab you will be putting yourself at risk. An unlicensed minicab is really just a stranger with a car. In addition, if an unlicensed minicab driver picks up passengers and has an accident there will be no insurance to support passengers.

Here are some personal safety tips for travelling in a taxi or licensed minicab: Carry the phone number of a local reputable firm. Sharing a taxi with a friend is always a good idea. If you are alone,

sit in the back. When booking a taxi or licensed minicab either ask for the name of

the driver or use a password system. If you are booking a taxi or licensed minicab from a public place,

try not to let anyone overhear you give your personal details. Check the name of the driver and firm or password before you get

in – is it the cab you booked?

What now? So far this booklet has focused on prevention and avoidance. But what if you have tried to prevent something from happening or avoid a situation and you still find yourself in trouble? There are still things you can do to minimise your risk.

Communication Effective communication is one of the most successful ways to prevent aggressive situations developing. People send us messages through their tone of voice, their words and their body language. Some examples of behaviour that warn us of potentially aggressive situations are: any sudden change in behaviour tapping of fingers pacing

crossed arms raised voice how close the other person is standing to you.

In communication, body language is much more important than the actual words used, or the tone of voice.

If two people send out angry messages, whether verbal or non-verbal, a confrontation can easily escalate so that conflict occurs.

Confrontations can often be prevented from turning into aggressive situations by being aware of your own body language and how it might affect others and by communicating calmly.

Think about how you react when you get angry and learn to recognise these signs in yourself and others. If you feel yourself becoming angry with someone, or they are getting angry with you, try to think of ways to calm the situation such as backing down, talking your way out or moving away.

Some ways of calming a situation include: speak gently, slowly and clearly talk yourself out of the problem, placate rather than provoke think about non-verbal communication – are you sending the

messages you want to? be aware of personal space – everyone is different avoid touching someone who is angry if there has been a misunderstanding because of your sight loss,

you may wish to explain this try to avoid being judgemental or making assumptions about

people – lots of things influence how people react to situations, such as stress, culture, expectations and environment.

Tension control An aggressive or violent situation can develop even when we have put the earlier tips into practice. Sometimes even effective communication cannot defuse aggression; sometimes there is no opportunity for communication at all. At this stage we not only have fewer choices but our ability to make safe choices may have also

decreased because of the tension we feel. However, there are some things we can do to help with an incident.

The ability to relax under stress is a useful part of personal safety. Stressful or scary situations create a surge of adrenaline which triggers a series of changes in the body. Reactions can include heart palpitations, inability to think clearly, muscle tension, headaches, sweating and nausea. This is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong; it is also preparing you for action and survival.

Relaxation and tension control are valuable skills which can reduce the adrenaline and help us to think more clearly in stressful situations. You can find more information about these techniques on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website suzylamplugh.org. Being able to use them at a moment’s notice requires practice.

If you have thoughts about the “what ifs” (possible risks) in advance, you are more likely to remain calm and stay in control of the situation. If you encounter a problem, try not to panic. Breathe out to release tension then think about options.

…if all else fails If you experience any form of aggression or violence your aim is to get away. If you are able to move away, do so. Be assertive but try not to meet the aggression with aggression. This will only escalate the situation.

If you are not able to get to a safe place, the following options may help. Think about diversion techniques – doing something unexpected

can confuse the attacker and might give you the opportunity to move away. Suggestions that have worked are: pretending to vomit or calling out to an imaginary passer-by for help. The most important thing to remember about a diversion technique is that it needs to be practised and must be something that you will feel comfortable doing so that it is believable. What would you do?

Use your voice. Make lots of noise – this may deter an attacker. Shout a specific instruction like “Get away” or “Call the police” – this will make clear to anyone in earshot that you are in difficulty or

need assistance and also help them to know what to do. Remember to use the tension control ideas described previously to ensure that you can use your voice in such a situation.

Carry a personal shriek alarm. The purpose of the alarm is to shock and disorientate an attacker, so make sure your alarm is very loud (over one hundred and thirty decibels). Carry it in your hand when you feel at risk. If you have sufficient sight and are able to, hold it close to the attacker’s ear. Move away if you can.

Meeting violence with violence limits your options and may commit you to a fight you could lose. Physical self-defence should be a last resort.

If you witness a violent or aggressive incident, think before you act. Calling the police or getting help may be of greater help than rushing in yourself.

Thinking about your personal safety in detail may seem daunting at first, but in time it will become second nature to PLAN (prepare, look confident, act to avoid risk, never assume).

After an incident If either you or someone you care about is affected by aggression or violence, report the incident to the police; they are there to help. Specially trained police officers deal with all types of aggression and violence. No matter how personal or trivial the incident feels to you, the police want to know.

In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the service you need. Stay on the line until you have given all the required information.

If you are no longer immediately at risk, call or go to your local police station to report the incident.

If you are deafblind you can request a Deafblind Interpreter to ensure you can describe the incident fully and get the information you need.

If English is not your first language, you can request an interpreter.

Verbal abuse and physical attack can be extremely stressful and may have long-term psychological effects.

Even if someone handles the situation calmly at the time, they may experience a range of disturbing feelings afterwards, including: Guilt (What did I do to provoke them?) Fear (Are they still out to get me?) Anger (How dare they treat me like this!)

These feelings are normal. Many services are set up to help people to deal with the effects of crime. If you would like support then do not hesitate to use the support available.

Further information RNIB For information for you and anyone you know with a sight problem, contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 from Monday to Friday 8.45am–5.30pm, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit our website at rnib.org.uk

Visit rnib.org.uk/livingsafely for a more detailed online version of this booklet including contact details for lots of useful organisations, additional safety advice plus a list of recommended products for example reflective belts and arm bands.

Victim Support Give free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales. They can also provide information on local victim support services across the UK. Contact their UK wide Support Line on 0845 30 30 900 or visit website vicitimsupport.org

Suzy Lamplugh Trust The Trust’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety and to provide solutions that effect change in order to help people to avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives.

For more information on the full range of their resources, training, conferences and fundraising, please visit their website at suzylamplugh.org, telephone 020 7091 0014 or write to: Suzy Lamplugh Trust National Centre for Personal Safety 218 Strand London WC2R 1AT

Some resources available from the Trust’s online shop: Personal shriek alarm – the perfect aid to your personal safety

when out and about. Travelling safely in the UK and abroad – this illustrated booklet is

perfect for employees who regularly travel for work, or for a family member going on their holidays.

We value your feedbackWe would be interested to know where you received your copy of this publication or if you found there was any information that was missing, or if there is anything else you would like to tell us about the publication. If you would like to give us feedback, please email us at publishing@rnib.org.uk or send your feedback to the following address (there's no need to use a stamp): FREEPOST RSCB-GJHJ-HLXG, RNIB Publishing, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE.

About the Confident living series The Confident living series is for people who are losing or have recently lost their sight and are trying to build their confidence to continue to lead full and independent lives. Other titles in the series are: Leisure Managing your money Reading Shopping Technology Travel

All these leaflets are available in audio, print and braille formats. To order please contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 (all calls charged at local rate), email helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/shop.

If you or someone you know is living with sight loss, we’re here to help.

For a full list of the information sources used in any of these titles please contact publishing@rnib.org.uk

If you, or someone you know, is living with sight loss, we’re here to help. Ask RNIB is the simple, easy to use way to find the answers to your questions online – try it today at rnib.org.uk/ask

Copyright Suzy Lamplugh Trust 2004 Registered charity number 802567. All additional material copyright RNIB Registered charity number 226227.

Printed: February 2014. Review date: October 2014.

This publication is certified under the Information Standard Scheme.

ISBN 978-1-4445-0105-6

Publication code PR12348P