Many live-in carers are still faced with doing the shopping for their client while they stay at home. Thankfully, there are online shopping options which are certainly the best way to shop now. Having as little contact with other people is now of prime importance.

What if I must go out to shop?

There are some instances where you will need to go out, such as to collect medication or cannot arrange online deliveries.

Most supermarkets have now set aside earlier times for vulnerable people as well as their carers to shop, before any other members of the public arrive.

Unfortunately, this makes older people (and any carers) a high risk for unscrupulous people such as pick pockets and muggers. These will not be able to enter the supermarkets but there have been cases lately of people having their shopping forcibly taken when they come out of the shops.

In appalling instances like these, you may ask yourself if there is anything you can do to protect yourself against these people. The answer is, yes, there are several things that you can do to keep yourself safe.

Prevention

This is the first course you should take. Attackers look for vulnerable people – this is who they prey on. They also look for unsuspecting targets. Be aware of your surroundings all the time. Stick to well-lit areas and keep your car or house keys in your hand (they make a great weapon).

Vary where you park the car so that an attacker who sees you cannot predict where you will be and wait for you.

Diffuse the situation

Nothing is worth more than your health or life. Sometimes and if you do not think you can physically make any move you may be better handing over a purse right away before moving to a safer place.

Very occasionally talking will prolong the situation and the attacker may run off instead of attracting attention.

Be loud

Attackers do not like or want to draw attention to themselves. If you start to shout loudly ‘BACK OFF’ they will start to think twice about attacking you. Pushing back at an attacker sends a message that you are not an easy target.

While this may not put many hardened criminals off, it will certainly deter someone looking for easy prey.

If you are attacked you will only have a few seconds to react and change the situation. It is important that you do everything you can before the attacker gains control of things.

Forget all about being civil, this is not the time for politeness. It is the time for you to react as aggressively as you possibly can, and with as much noise and energy as possible.

Aim for a place to hurt the attacker

The best places to do the most damage fast are the eyes, nose, mouth, groin, and knees. What part you target will depend on the attacker and how close he is to you. Do not try to hit a nose when you can reach a knee easier.

Making a fist will give you the greatest amount of effectiveness so curl your fingers into a tight ball.

Eyes

Besides putting your attacker in a lot of pain, this will temporarily blind them, giving you a chance to get away. Poking, gouging, and scratching eyes is effective.

Nose and mouth

For any attacker who is right in front of you, use the heel of your hand to hit up and under the nose. This will cause him to instinctively release a grip on you and put his hands to his nose. Should he be behind you, striking the side of the nose will work as effectively.

Groin

As any man can tell you, this is an overly sensitive area. Any blow which connects in this area will slow an attacker down while he catches his breathe. This gives you the opportunity to run away and get help.

Knee

From any angle, a blow to a knee is painful. This is also easily achieved without an attacker grabbing your own knee. Kicking the front of the knee will cause more injury but a side kick will cause imbalance. A push will get you away from him and enable you to run off.

To sum up

While none of us like to think that we will be attacked simply for doing the shopping, you should remember that there are many people now with less money than before. You and every person who goes to the shops either carries money or a debit card and are therefore a target.

Do not make yourself a target – walk confidently and positively to the store and back. Be aware of your surroundings and DO NOT be afraid to make a noise if you are being attacked.

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