As the party season unfolds, we wanted to share with you some great tips to keep you, your friends, and your loved ones safe.

Plan Your Route

Before you go out, take a moment earlier in the day to consider:

How you’ll get to the venue
How you’ll get home
Who you’ll check in with
A backup plan if your phone dies
Have enough cash for an unplanned taxi home

Taking time to create a little plan removes stress later on and makes sure you get out and home again safely.

Use Personal Safety Apps for Journey Tracking

Let your friends know where you are by using apps like Epowar (available on Android/iPhone), Safest Way (available on Android/iPhone), or built-in features in WhatsApp, and Android/iPhone can:

Share your live location with a trusted friend
Trigger alerts if you stop moving unexpectedly
Help you plan the safest route home
Send a distress signal if you feel unsafe

Don’t forget, before you head out, set up your chosen app so it’s ready to go.

Keep an Eye on Your Drink and Don’t Hesitate to Hand It Back

If a drink looks/ tastes strange (the ice isn’t floating like normal or there’s no fizz), arrives already opened, or you didn’t see it poured, hand it straight back to the bartender and ask for a replacement. The bar staff are always happy to help you if you think your drink might have been tampered with.

Remember, if you’ve stepped away from your drink and you’re not sure if someone’s touched it, it’s safest to get a fresh one.

Your safety is always more important than the cost of a new drink.

Stick with Your Group When You Can

You don’t need to hover over each other all night, but stay connected:

Check in with each other every hour
Agree on a meeting point if you get separated or move to a new venue
Make sure no one leaves alone unless they’ve told someone their plan
A quick “You good?” goes a long way

If a friend gets too drunk or is behaving unusually, make sure they get home safely or get medical attention if they need it.

Check Your Taxi Before You Get In

If you’re using a taxi to go out or come home, make sure you are using a reputable taxi company with the license visible on the vehicle. Before opening the door, take a quick moment to confirm:

The registration matches what’s on your app
The driver’s photo and name match
The child lock isn’t engaged (you can check the handle from the inside before closing the door)
If you’ve prebooked, ask the driver to confirm if it’s your booking

A reputable taxi driver will be more than happy to take a moment to answer any questions to give you peace of mind before you get in. Remember, trust your instincts. If anything feels off, don’t get in. Just cancel and request another.

“Ask for Angela”

If you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or want to leave discreetly, go to the staff and quietly say “Is Angela working tonight?”. Many bars, pubs, and restaurants participate in Ask for Angela. The staff will get you to a safe space, help you leave quietly, and call a taxi or support you as needed.

It’s there for any situation where your safety, comfort, or consent is at risk.

Keep Essentials Accessible

It sounds simple but always make the basics easy to reach:

Phone with enough charge
Bank card or small amount of cash
House key
Identification
Emergency contact shortcut on your phone

This can help you avoid digging through your bag on a dark street.

Look Out for Each Other

Us girls gotta stick together! If you see another woman looking uncomfortable, lost, or being harassed, check in with her. A quick “Hey, are you okay?” or pretending to know her can interrupt a dangerous situation and give her an out.

Community safety is strongest when women have each other’s backs.

Trust Your Gut Because It’s Usually Right

If a driver, stranger, date, or situation makes you uneasy, listen to that feeling. You don’t need a concrete reason to remove yourself from a situation. A simple: “I’m going to head to my friends / the bar staff / outside for a minute” is enough.

Phone a Friend

If you’re walking alone, using a taxi, or taking public transport at night, phoning a friend to chat can let someone know where you are and give you peace of mind. It’s important to still keep your wits about you and be mindful of what private information you talk about publicly (like your address or plans for that night) because you never know who’s listening.

If your friend isn’t available, you can use a service like Strut Safe. Strut Safe operates a UK-wide phone line for those out alone at night. The phone line is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm to 3am and Sundays from 7pm to 1am.

Website: https://strutsafe.org/

Phone: 0333 335 0026

We want you to stay safe this party season so we hope you find these tips useful! Make sure you share them with your friends or family to keep them safe, too.

Keeping Safe On Your Night Out