For instance, if a person is pushed or thrown to the floor she could be severely injured falling against a ceramic tub, cement floor or table edge. A carpeted area would be safest. Women are also advised to stay away from areas with potential weapons, such as the kitchen where there are knives or the garage where there are tools. If possible, the woman is told, stay close to the front door. She is encouraged to practice an escape route, deciding what doors, windows, stairs or elevators will provide the best egress.
Counselors advise battered women to use their best judgment about the situation.
In some cases, a woman may need to give in to the batterer, calm him down and try to diffuse the situation in an attempt to reduce the potential for danger for herself and children before leaving. In planning to leave, a woman may want to open her own savings account to increase her independence and check with friends or relatives to see if she might find shelter there. She may also want to contact the local women's shelter and talk to a counselor about other options and resources available to her.