How to improve self-protection awareness in public places?

Enhancing self-protection awareness in public settings hinges on three core principles: proactively anticipating risks, cultivating safety habits, and mastering emergency skills. Below are practical, actionable suggestions organized across three dimensions—"cognitive awareness," "behavioral habits," and "emergency response"—covering high-frequency daily scenarios.

I. Cognitive Awareness: Build "Risk Sensitivity" First

Safety hazards in public often hide in details. Actively observing and anticipating risks is the first line of defense.

Watch for "Abnormal Signals": Be cautious of strangers being overly friendly (e.g., borrowing phones, asking for directions to build rapport), repeatedly probing your schedule ("Where do you live?" "Are you here alone?"), or individuals frequently scanning the area (potential pickpockets or wrongdoers scoping targets). Stay polite but maintain distance, and avoid sharing personal information.
Assess "Environmental Risks": Before entering an unfamiliar place, first observe emergency exits, security camera positions, and whether security personnel are present (e.g., at night, prioritize well-lit, camera-covered main roads over secluded alleys). In enclosed spaces (elevators, carriages), note the behavior of those around you (e.g., intoxicated individuals, agitated people)—adjust your stance if needed (face the exit, back to a wall).
Avoid "Security Illusions": Don’t let "formal settings" lull you into complacency (e.g., fitting rooms may be used for surreptitious filming; sitting with your back to a corridor in a restaurant makes you vulnerable to theft). Similarly, don’t assume "crowded places" are safe—dense crowds increase risks of pickpocketing, stampedes, or even deliberate shoving to create chaos.

II. Behavioral Habits: Protect Yourself with "Detail-Oriented Practices"

Safety awareness must translate into concrete actions. Below are practical habits for different scenarios:

1. Protecting Belongings and Privacy

Securing Belongings: Carry bags in front (especially on buses, subways, or in fitting rooms); avoid loose outer pockets for phones (use a small crossbody bag or zipped pant pockets instead); shield your password when paying, and avoid exposing payment screens (to prevent "close-range peeping" theft).
Privacy Protection: Avoid connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi (free "no-password" networks may be infected with malware to steal data); don’t share real-time location on social media (e.g., "Having dinner at XX Mall" might reveal you’re home alone); use "community collection points" for delivery addresses instead of specific door numbers.

2. Travel and Social Precautions

Night Travel/Alone: Prioritize public transit (e.g., subways) over late-night taxis. If you must take a taxi, note the license plate and driver info, and inform a friend/family member; sit in the back seat and avoid excessive conversation with the driver. When walking, stay on the inner side of sidewalks, away from traffic (to avoid vehicle collisions or snatching).
Personal Boundaries: Maintain a "polite distance" (over 1 meter) from strangers; refuse food/drinks offered by others (they may be drugged). For "help requests" (e.g., "Can I borrow your phone?" "Can you watch my luggage?"), direct the person to nearby security guards or shops instead of accompanying them alone.

3. Special Scenarios

Crowded Events (concerts, malls): Research evacuation routes in advance; avoid standing directly in front of stages or at stair corners (prone to being knocked down). In a stampede, crouch, hug your head, clench your fists to protect your chest, and press against a wall as the crowd surges.
Public Transit (buses, subways): Watch for backpack zippers during morning rush hour (pickpockets target crowded commutes). If you notice someone targeting you, shout, "My bag zipper is open!" to draw attention—thieves may back off due to guilt.

III. Emergency Response: "Calmness + Quick Action" Are Critical When Danger Strikes

Even with prevention, emergencies can occur. Mastery of the following skills can significantly reduce harm:

1. Rapid Help-Seeking and Shouting

Targeted Assistance: Prioritize uniformed staff (security guards, store clerks, police) or parents with children (these groups are more likely to help). If no one is around, call 110 (press "*#06#" to display your location without hanging up).
Effective Shouts: Yell "Help！Someone is robbing/pushing me！" instead of just "Help！"—specificity attracts faster attention. At night, bang metal objects (trash cans, fire hydrants) to make noise and alert distant passersby.

2. Self-Defense Techniques (Non-Violent Priority)

Controlling Limbs: If grabbed, attack the attacker’s eyes or throat with your elbow; stomp on their toes (painful but effective for escape); if hugged, bend down, squat, and kick their kneecaps forcefully (forcing them to release).
Using Tools: Carry a personal alarm (120dB loudness with one press); use keys (clutched between your fingers as a makeshift baton); or use your phone (smash it toward the attacker’s face in emergencies).

3. Preserving Evidence and Follow-Up

If theft or fraud occurs, report to police immediately and document details (suspect descriptions, time, location). If injured, preserve surveillance footage (request it from authorities) and medical records (for later claims).

Conclusion: Self-Protection Is a Combination of "Habits, Awareness, and Skills"

Enhancing self-protection in public requires turning safety into a daily habit (e.g., observing surroundings, securing belongings), replacing complacency with rational risk assessment (e.g., not trusting strangers, avoiding greed), and regularly practicing emergency skills (via community training or safety tutorials). Remember: True safety means "avoiding danger" and "escaping quickly if danger strikes."