Safety is a huge priority when visiting or living in Chicago. It’s a beautiful city with so much to see and do but don’t let all the beauty and fun fool you. It’s still important to be street-smart on these city streets while you’re out having a blast. So, we’re going to cover some basics to keep you safe, have you looking like a local, and prepared for anything.

Be alert
This sounds overly simplistic but with our technology-infused culture most of us are tuned into our phones instead of our surroundings. But being alert is the number one offensive thing you can do in a big city to be and stay safe.
You may not be able to control the types of potentially sketchy people around you as you walk, shop, or commute. But you can be aware of who is around you, what they are doing, how they’re interacting with others around you, and what to be on guard for. Not staying alert puts an instant target on your back for a deviant individual looking for an easy, you got it, TARGET. The key advantage of someone up to no good is to catch their victim off-guard, so stay on your guard.
Remaining alert accomplishes two things 1) it lets would-be attackers/thieves etc. know that you are not blind or clueless to them or what is going on around you. 2) it keeps you in a place of being informed and ready for anything that may go down.
Being alert can enable you to avoid being in close proximity of someone who is showing signs of aggression or instability. It will help you notice someone who may be following you or just anything odd, which is always a major tip-off.
Practical Tips:
Look up from your phone every now and then. Use your eyes and check out who’s around you, who’s watching you or giving off creepy vibes. Don’t give off the appearance of someone who is lost in their own world and not paying any attention to their surroundings.
Keep earbuds out. A former Secret Service agent has advised that earbuds should never be worn outside the house. That’s a hard one I admit but try leaving at least one of them out so you can hear what’s going on around you. You need all your senses in a big city like this with people from all walks of life.
Move to a different spot or car on the train if you feel unsafe (trains also have help buttons you can press to notify the conductor of an emergency). Don’t feel embarrassed to do what you need to do to remain safe.
Avoid eye contact, especially in enclosed spaces. You want to be aware of who and what’s around you but try and avoid direct eye contact, which many hostile individuals take as a sign of aggression. Even if not hostile, eye contact can also be perceived as an invitation for conversation—and a conversation with someone random on the street may be best to avoid.
If assaulted shout, “I don’t know this person! They’re trying to hurt me!” Most onlookers do not get involved in what looks like personal arguments/scuffles. But if you make others aware that you do not know the individual who is trying to grab you or makes you uncomfortable, others are more likely to step up and help out. Make your emergency known!

Be armed
Pepper spray or tasers are great small options that you can take with you in a bag, purse, or coat pocket. The aim with either weapons is, not to subdue your attacker, but to give you time to run away to a place of safety or to find help. These buy you time and in an emergency situation where every second counts.
Amazon has pepper spray for a mere $10 and tasers can be found online as well. Hopefully, you’ll never be in a situation to use a form of protection like these, but you can have a greater sense of security having them on your person.
Take self-defense classes…or at least watch videos. It’s surprising the things you can learn on TikTok and self-defense is one of them. If you don’t have the funds or time to take an in-person class, you can learn life-saving tips for getting out of choke holds, trunks, zip ties, and more from TikTok alone. Youtube is full of more in-depth videos as well. Your brain still digests information by observing and mentally practicing. So don’t underestimate the value of watching some tutorials for how to protect yourself and escape. It could save your life.

Be confident & use common sense
Another factor in keeping you safe is the energy you project to outsiders. In tandem with being alert, you also want to convey and air of confidence. Are you lost? Look like you know where you’re going. Do you feel unsafe? Pretend that you are afraid of nothing. This will trick your brain into a calmer, more clear-headed state and will be pivotal in deterring someone with ulterior motives from even thinking about messing with you. ‘Fake it til you make it’ really can help!
Studies have shown that for some odd reason walking hurriedly as if you’re late to an event will deter thieves. I guess thieves respect busy folks? Hmm…
Whatever the case may be, looking as if you’re in a hurry will be your best tool for staying out of harm’s way. So, master that look of being the busiest person in the world!
And lastly there are the basic common-sense rules to abide by:
Don’t walk alone at night, especially if you’re a female
Listen to your gut; if something feels off it’s for a reason—don’t ignore that sinking feeling!
Share your uber rides with a friend so someone always knows where you’re at and progress of your trip to your destination
Never take out your wallet in public
If a woman being asked for help by a man, be assured this is a trick; men ask other men for help as a general rule so don’t be duped by predators
Don’t follow strangers/homeless people to their cars/private places; there’s a way to help those in need without putting yourself in a vulnerable position
If you see someone twice in a city this size, that means you’re being followed. Find a nearby business to go into or a large group of people in a public place where you can alert them to the situation and get help (a number of women online in this very predicament began filming their stalker live on their phones to avert being kidnapped or worse. This is when technology can be your best friend).

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There are so many things in this life that we do not have control over, but your safety is not one of them. Be wise, be informed, and alert so you can be safe while having the time of your life in Chicago. Safe travels!