Gun Tote’n Mamas is serious about women’s protection. The team behind the concealed-carry purse line wants you to be safe and secure this holiday season. With this in mind, we checked in with Kelly Sayre, Founder and President of The Diamond Arrow Group, and author of Sharp Women, asking for her top five safety tips for holiday gatherings.
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It’s the holiday season, and no matter which holidays you celebrate, it’s a time of social gatherings, increased travel and enjoying some of your favorite cyclical treats. (Hello, pumpkin spice and peppermint mocha!) While enjoying the merry moments, remember to prioritize your personal safety with these five safety tips.
1. Take five minutes to learn your surroundings.
The company holiday party at the swanky new restaurant. The dinner at your significant other’s extended family’s home. The community festival at the outdoor pavilion. Spend the first five minutes once you arrive looking around. Below are a few suggestions on things to specifically look for, depending on your location.
2. Do not compromise your safety when using a ride-sharing app.
Always make sure the license plate, make and model of the vehicle, and driver name match with the app. Even if you’re with a small group of people, all the information needs to match. (This happened to me. Our safety was more important than his exasperation at our refusal to get in.) If you’re riding solo, sit in the rear passenger seat so you can clearly see the driver. Do not enter a ride share if there is another rider you weren’t expecting in the vehicle.
3. Pick self-defense tools appropriate for travel and your destination.
Know which of your tools are permitted on your method of transportation. If you are traveling across state lines, make sure you’re aware of any changes in what items are legal for you to carry. When attending events, research what tools are allowed. Tool hint: a tactical flashlight with high lumens and a beveled edge can travel anywhere and is permitted in all facilities. Another tool hint: keep in mind just about any object can be used to defend yourself with some creative thinking.
4. Conduct a boundary check-in with yourself.
Physical boundaries: How comfortable are you with receiving hugs? How does that comfort level change depending on the relationship with the other person (family, friend, co-worker, stranger, etc.)? What amount of personal space makes you feel safe around people you don’t know? If someone is standing too close or too touchy-feely with you, how will you voice your boundary enforcement?
Mental boundaries: The holiday season can be hectic for many people, both at work and at home. The list of things to do can be long and take longer than the waking hours of the day. Get honest with yourself and decide on your mental-load limits. It could be limiting the number of social gatherings you attend each week or delegating some holiday planning tasks to others. It’s completely acceptable to acknowledge when you’ve had enough “peopling” for the day.
Emotional boundaries: In general, the holidays are a time of celebrations. But if you’ve recently lost a loved one or the time of year marks an anniversary of a time of grief, it can bring emotions of sadness and heartache. There is no timeline for grief, and there is no “right” way to process any feelings that come up for you. Know that you get to decide what you need to cope with those emotions in a healthy way, and who-if anyone you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with.
5. Make a safety plan BEFORE you go out and make sure everyone in the group knows their role.
Depending on where you live, how does the weather impact what items are in the vehicle in case of an emergency? If you are driving to a new destination, are you comfortable and confident in the route you will be taking? Who is the designated driver? What’s the signal when it’s time to leave? Code words are great when your extended family member starts telling their annual “Have I told you about the time …” story, and you want to exit stage left.
You deserve to enjoy the holiday season. Making your personal safety a priority, both physically and mentally, is a great place to start. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety and security are part of the basic needs you need in order to have the psychological needs of belongingness, healthy relationships and contentment. You never need to apologize for taking responsibility for the choices that protect and support your well-being.
Kelly Sayre empowers women with realistic tactics and tools to help them live their lives safely and on their own terms. Her refreshing angle on women’s safety emphasizes non-physical, proactive situational awareness techniques that recognize and avoid threatening situations before they happen.
With a grounded approach and high energy, Kelly works with law enforcement, nonprofit, corporate and youth organizations on emergency preparedness, situational awareness training and personal safety. She is a frequent speaker at national events and a guest on global podcasts.
Kelly is trained in FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team program, the Department of Homeland Security’s Active Shooter Preparedness Workshop, and Texas A&M Extension Service’s crisis communications. She is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, and an Executive Board Member of the Tri-County Humane Society.
Make sure to visit Kelly Sayre’s website, The Diamond Arrow Group, for more information on all she offers.
Read more safety tips from Kelly Sayre, featuring campus safety
Look no further than Gun Tote’n Mamas for the perfect purse to carry any of your personal protection tools.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
