Safety Tips for Women Runners
For many women, running is a fun way to stay active and pass the time. It doesn’t require a gym membership, making it the perfect choice for anyone who wants to improve their overall physical fitness. However, even though running provides a wealth of health benefits, it can also be dangerous.
On top of everyday running dangers there has also been an increase in incidents where women are being assaulted while running. One of the most recent incidents that made national news happened in September 2022 when Eliza Fletcher was kidnapped and killed while out for an early morning run.
The following running safety tips will provide some insights into the best ways for women to stay safe when going for a jog.
Running Safety Tips for Women
There are several ways women can stay safe and protect themselves when jogging. Some of these safety tips for women include:
- Sharing your location with people you trust
- Staying alert at all times
- Wear running safety gear
- Run in pairs
- Follow the rules of the road
- Carry protection
1) Share your location with people you trust
One of the best ways to improve your safety while running is by sharing your location with people you trust. It is always a good idea to let at least one person know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Apps such as Life360 make location sharing easy and offer added peace of mind knowing someone can find you if needed.
2) Stay alert while running
Another important aspect of jogging safety is to stay alert at all times. People often run while listening to music, making it challenging to hear dangers such as vehicles, animals, or people running up behind them. This doesn’t mean you need to stop listening to music — instead, opt for wearing a single headphone.
3) Wear running safety gear
Having the appropriate gear can help prevent accidents. Women running early in the morning or at night should wear running safety gear that is bright and has reflective material on it. This will make it easier for motorists to see you and could help avoid a crash.
4) Run in pairs
Running with a friend can provide a significant boost in protection. Most instances of assault on runners happen when a person is alone — by running together with a friend, the odds of an incident occurring drop substantially.
5) Follow the rules of the road
When running, it’s best to follow the rules of the road and wait at a stoplight or stop sign if another vehicle has the right of way. This can help to avoid preventable pedestrian accidents.
6) Carry protection
Carrying something with you during your runs to protect yourself is often the best way to stay safe. Tasers, pepper spray, and even firearms are great ways to protect yourself from a would-be attacker.
Run Safely with Life360
No one should have to give up on something they love doing. If you’re an avid runner or enjoy a jog through the neighborhood, you should be able to. However, keeping the above running safety tips in mind is important.
Downloading the Life360 platform and signing up for a membership is a great way to start your journey to a safer, more enjoyable run. Check out our membership plans here.
