Be Prepared

• Get familiar with your area.
• Think about possible escape routes and safe havens. Crossroads are good because you have more than one direction to move.
• Make sure you know several routes for getting home from work.
• Carry small amounts of cash in case you need to quickly arrange transportation or fill basic needs.

Remain Calm

• Riots and protests bring intense emotions boiling to the surface. Keep your emotions in check.
• Avoid confrontation by keeping your head down.
• Walk at all times. Running may attract unwanted attention.

Keep Loved Ones Close

• If you’re not alone, grip the hands or lock elbows with all people who are with you.
• Children should be carried so they don’t get trampled.
• Sticking together with your loved ones is your first priority. The second priority is moving away from the protests.
• Reassure your loved ones that you have strength in numbers and will be fine if you stick together.

Don’t Get Involved

• If you’re caught in a riot or protest, the last thing you want to do is try to take sides, help out, or stand out.
• Stand out as little as possible as you move away from the protests or riot.
• Stay close to walls or other barriers but avoid bottlenecks or any areas where a lot of people are moving through a narrow space

Drive appropriately if you’re in a car

• Unless your car is the focus for an angry mob, you should stay in the car and continue driving calmly.
• Keep to streets that are clear of riots. Don’t attempt to drive through a protest or riot.
• Avoid main roads that are more likely to be occupied by protesters.
• If someone tries to block your car, honk your car horn and keep driving until he moves out of the way. This doesn’t mean you should hit the person.
• Drive at moderate speed so they have time to back off.
• Keep going unless you absolutely can’t.
• Be firm in your driving, but not aggressive.

Move Away From the Riot as Calmly as Possible

• If you’re on foot, you should move away by going with the flow of foot traffic, not against it.
• If you go against the traffic, you may be stampeded, get pushed or blocked.
• If you think you may fall down in a big crowd and get trampled, use your elbows to push down on the crowd so that it carries you.
• Don’t “run for your life” – move calmly and relatively slowly.
• Continue to move with the crowd until you can escape into a safer area.

Avoid Heavy-Traffic Areas

• Avoid areas that are most likely to be crowded. Stay off the beaten path.
• Avoid major roads. Major roads, shopping centers, intersections and other high traffic areas are likely to be crowded with rioters and protesters.
• Avoid public transportation.

Move to a Safe Enclosed Area

• You can protect yourself just by moving inside a sturdy building. Being in a any safe building is safer than being out on the streets.
• Lock the doors and windows and stay away from them. Watching the riot from the windows will increase your chances of getting hurt.
• Move to rooms that do not lead directly outside to avoid getting hit by stones, bullets or other objects.
• Look out for fire.

Stay Informed

• Use social media and local radio or TV for alerts. Social media may provide information very quickly, although not as accurately.
• Remember that staying informed can help you know what areas should be avoided.