Retired secret service agent urges people to follow ‘simple safety precautions’ when out in public

A retired Secret Service agent is urging people to keep themselves safe when out in public by using some of his top tips.

We'd all like to think that we are pretty observant whenever we are out and about in public, however, our guard can slip a bit sometimes.

Scott Bryson, who says he is a retired Secret Service agent, talks all things safety to his 250,000 TikTok followers.

And in a recent video to the social media platform, he lifted the lid on how us not-so-street-smart citizens can take extra steps to protect ourselves.

The first tip 'isn't rocket science' as he says when you go into a store or park up your car, you should 'get off your phone' and put it in your pocket.

'Just stay off your phone', he reiterated. Scott's next tip is about choosing where to park, with one particular warning for women.

He continued: "Ladies, especially you, listen. When you're parked and there's a car parked right beside of you, and I mean super close to the line or something like that, that should be a red flag."

He said we should be assessing the risk by asking ourselves questions like, 'Is there somebody in the car? Is it a mini van? Has it got sliding doors? Is it an SUV?'

Scott continued: "I'm not saying you can't go get in your car but just pump the breaks, okay. No pun intended. Just take it easy. Take a little look around.

"Don't just willy-nilly get in the car. It might be fine, it could be something."

The third piece of advice comes when getting fuel at the gas station, to which Scott says the best approach is to lean against your car while it's filling up.

'Now you've cut your 360 down to 180, you can see', he explained. 'If somebody approaches you, and they’re up to no good, spray them with the gas. That's not cool. I wouldn't want to be sprayed with gas. They'll probably run off."

Finally, he advised to sit where you can see the door in public venues like restaurants, so you know where your exits are.

When in situations where seats are all facing in one direction, like the movie theatre for example, Scott said to sit at the end of the aisle, adding: "If you’re a fighter, you can get up and go fight.

"If you’re not willing to fight, that’s cool, too - you can run.

"But you gotta be able to get out. Don't be stuck in the middle of the row."

His advice has resonated with hundreds of users of TikTok, who also agreed that keeping safe is all about 'situational awareness'.

One person said: "I will never forget my driving instructor asking me what the first thing I should do getting in my car. I said, 'seatbelt!' He said 'no, you lock your doors young lady'."

A second commented: "'Walk with a purpose', was always, still is, what my mom told me."

And a third, who also claims to be a law enforcement officer, says it always 'ceases to amaze me at how many people have no clue and don't pay attention to their surroundings'.