A woman shared her story online about narrowly escaping a potentially dangerous situation, inspired by safety advice she’d read on Reddit. While shopping at a mall with her husband, she needed to use the restroom before heading home. Her husband waited in the car as she went alone. Inside the restroom, she noticed a man there who turned toward her, raising her suspicions. Recalling online advice to avoid entering public restrooms if followed, she immediately left and moved to a crowded area.

She remembered another tip: enter a store the follower wouldn’t likely go into. Spotting a dollhouse shop, she went in, but the man followed. Fear surged as he continued to watch her. She stepped back outside, called her husband, and loudly said, “I’m being followed by the man behind me.” This declaration caused the man to leave as her husband arrived, effectively ending the threat. Sharing this experience, the woman hoped to prepare others for similar encounters.