"Don't Scream Help": 17 Women Reveal The "Unhinged" Safety Tips That Can Save Lives

    "If he's asking you, LEAVE immediately."

    From self-defense classes to pepper spray, women constantly search for the best ways to protect themselves. However, some methods of defense are not always reliable, and in some cases, can leave a person even more unprepared or exposed when a dangerous situation arises. That's why it's always beneficial to keep a few unconventional safety "hacks" in your arsenal...

    Thankfully, when TikTok user @xo_cinn asked, "Give me your most unhinged survival hacks. I don't mean 'always keep pepper spray', I wanna know what unexpectedly saved your life." Women flooded the comment section with their own methods of staying safe, and we should all be taking NOTES. From date "codewords" to fake boyfriends — here are 19 ways to keep yourself safe in public and at home:

    Person in patterned top with long, dark hair. Overlaid text: "Give me your most unhinged survival hacks... I wanna know what unexpectedly saved your life!"

    1.

    Text in image: "Scream mom don't scream help. You scream, Mom, every single mother in that vicinity is gonna look."

    2.

    Text: Sammi D shares a tip about memorizing steps in a house for safety in a power outage or emergency

    3.

    Tip: If you're stuck with low battery or poor service, update your voicemail with your location, date, and time
    Person holding a smartphone displaying a low battery icon inside a car near the gear shift

    4.

    Screenshot of text warning people not to approach or pet the author's unfriendly dog, whose name is not disclosed

    5.

    Text advice suggests arriving early on a date, sitting at the bar, and using a pre-set drink order to signal discomfort

    6.

    Text advice on taking a photo of your parking spot to avoid confusion in garages
    Person in a dimly lit parking garage, standing confidently with arms crossed. They are wearing a sleeveless top and have curly hair

    7.

    Text post saying, "I keep men's shoes outside my front door so it looks like a big dude lives here."

    8.

    Text tip on self-defense: "Use pepper gel not spray! Gel shoots straight and sticks, preventing blowback and forming a cloud."

    9.

    Text meme: A person shares that they pretend to call their "bf" in parking lots for safety, saying, "YOU HAVE MY LOCATION WHERE TF DO YOU THINK I AM, MARCUS?"
    A woman in a plaid blazer excitedly shouts at her phone while standing outside between glass buildings

    10.

    Post titled "jbugg$" advises lying down to make it harder for an attacker during a kidnapping attempt, suggesting this tactic causes a scene

    11.

    Text advice on traveling alone: stay near others or do a confident "winter soldier walk" with a fast pace and fixed gaze

    12.

    Humorous text advising women to be cautious if a man asks for car-related help, suggesting he might not have genuine intentions
    Woman on a city street holding up her hand defensively as a man reaches towards her. She looks cautious, wearing a leopard print scarf

    13.

    Text from image: A person named Courtney discusses hiding a spare car key outside to ensure they can leave if their primary key is taken

    14.

    Text posts humorously on being prepared to drive through potential danger, emphasizing leaving space at traffic lights

    15.

    Text post about family wearing flint bracelets for emergency car window breaking after a near-drowning incident
    Car with shattered side window on a city street, debris visible inside

    16.

    Text from "Hannah": Advises her teen daughter about older men pursuing younger women, implying it's due to issues with the older person

    17.

    Text reads: "I worked at a bar and carried my tips in a to-go box so if I got robbed they’d think it was just leftovers."

    18.

    Text from an online post about a woman using a male identity to buy and sell on Facebook Marketplace

    19.

    Text advice suggests housewives secretly save $20 per purchase using a debit card at stores, implying husbands won’t check receipts

    Did you know any of these survival hacks? Women, what unconventional safety tips do you use? Tell us in the comments or answer anonymously using the form below!