We’ve talked about the importance of not leaving your beverage unattended when in public facilities. If you get up to use the bathroom, finish your drink or take it with you. Once inside the water closet, take your cup or bottle with you into the stall; don’t let it out of your sight. Equally as important is which stall you choose.

It’s likely you never considered stall location as a potential safety hazard. Women typically like to migrate to the end or back of the row of stalls. Men, if you didn’t know this – it’s true. Women, you already know this to be true. Women like their privacy and therefore do not generally select the first available stall.

What would happen if there was a fire in the bathroom? It’s not unheard of for visitors to light up, even with No Smoking notices posted. Do you really want to be in the very back of the bathroom, potentially trapped? No of course you wouldn’t.

If someone was to lurk in the bathroom with the intent of attacking innocent victims, where would one most likely hide – in the front, near the sink and the door or in the back? The answer is that more danger and damage can occur in the back, out of public view.

The next time you visit the loo, you’d be wise to select the first available stall. Remember also to travel in pairs and hang onto your beverage. Danger does not discriminate among the ages or locations. Be alert!