Notice the “Stun Gun For Sale” Advertisement

After grocery store and mall parking lots, stairwells are one of the most dangerous for women in terms of assaults and abductions. However, there are times when they are unavoidable. Suppose the elevator breaks down and it’s way past quitting time. What do you do? Like anybody else, you take the stairs. It beats spending the night on the fifth floor.

However, if you must use the stairwell, take a few basic precautions.

• First and foremost, go with a buddy – or two or three. A bad guy is not likely to try to tackle a group. He wants to isolate just one person, do his thing, then leave – pronto!

• Wear low-heeled shoes. It’s OK to wear high heels to work in (if your feet can take it), but when it’s time to hit the bricks (or stairs) change into some flats you keep in the desk for just such an occasion.

• Arm yourself. Most security officers would be willing to help, but if you are stuck in an elevator with a predator or barricaded against an assailant, John Law can’t help. You’ve got to take matters into your own hands.