How to Stay Safe on Public Transport by Rachel Lauren for The Organic Prepper
If you don’t have a car, you learn to rely on things like the city bus or your local subway system. You may have heard some horror stories about using these offerings, so here are some tips about how to be prepared and safe on public transport.
Uber and Lyft are nice options if it’s just a once-in-a-while thing, but those prices rack up if you use them all the time. So more often than not, I walk. However, sometimes, it’s too far or the weather is too bad for me to enjoy the stroll to wherever my destination is, so the bus it is.
In my city all of the busses are free right now, they just take a little longer. I work from home, so when I go out it’s usually for about 3 hours at a time. I like knowing I have everything I would need if I had to either walk for a substantial amount of time or be away from home for longer than I intended.
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What should you have with you to be safe on public transport?
Here are some things you SHOULD keep in your purse
- Coins. I like to keep about 4 dollars in coins or cash with me at all times. Sometimes people will come up to you at bus stations asking for money, and if you feel so inclined you can give them a quarter or so, but say you need the rest for your fare. This lets them know you are on the same level.
- A compact backpack or reusable tote in your bag. I love having these on me. If you keep your purchases in a closed container nary a nosy Nelly can peek in and see what you’ve just picked up.
- A LifeStraw. These things are awesome. Every time I am in a store I’ll see the cold and refreshing-looking waters and be so tempted to get one. Especially after walking for the past hour and having the sun beating down on me. And they’re right there, for just a dollar. Then I remember a bottle of water costs the same amount as a bag of flour which I can use for so many meals. So I take my reusable water bottle and my Lifestraw and go over to the water fountain, fill it up, and it’s even more refreshing. If you can afford the splurge, Lifestraw makes these water bottles that are more discreet for filling up and don’t scream “water filter.”
- Portable charger. I always make sure my phone is fully charged before leaving, but if I need to use it for directions, it’ll die a lot sooner. I like to have my portable charger with me because the last thing I want is for it to die when I might need it for navigation or to call for help.
- Non-perishable snacks. And, no, I don’t mean a can of Spaghettios. Some small things like individually wrapped cheese & crackers, granola bars, or a package of trail mix will help you avoid all the temptations at the checkout counter.
- Any medications you take on a regular basis. I avoid bringing prescriptions unless they’re absolutely essential, as they can look like a high-value target for thieves. I bring Benadryl, a few tums, some seasonal allergy pills, and ibuprofen. I will stick them all into the same bottle because I can tell the difference between all the pills, and add a cotton ball to avoid any rattling sounds.
- A small first aid kit. You can make one using things you probably already have like a makeup bag or pencil case, a variety pack of bandaids, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment cream, butterfly closures, a tensor bandage, and superglue. Alternatively, you can buy one like this. It’s more for boo-boos, not for major wounds.
- An activity of some kind. It can be a pen and a journal, a book, crossword puzzles, headphones to listen to music or a podcast, and you can even make a mini portable paint set. This is my preferred activity of late, and definitely helps to kill time on the bus!
