Parking Lot Safety Tips

Whether it’s the holiday season or just time for a new pair of jeans, an activity most of us will participate in several times a year is shopping! While shopping malls and grocery stores can be a pain in and of themselves due to crowds, the parking lots that surround them can also be a source of problems. Here are some tips to help keep you and your automobile safe in parking lots.

Don’t Be A Dangerous Driver!
Have you ever been in a parking lot where parking spots are few and far between and competition for them is fierce? Most of us have, especially on weekends or around the holidays. Not only can not finding a parking space be stressful, it can also cause us to lose sight of everything but the task at hand, including pedestrians and other cars looking for spots. In addition, it can cause aggressive driving if you and another car end up dueling for a spot. While this situation is obviously frustrating, try to remind yourself that it is not fair to blame others who are dealing with the same crowds you are. Be mindful of everyone’s safety.

It is also common in parking lots and parking spots to back up without properly looking, especially if you’re in a hurry. Be sure you look completely behind you and to each side of your car before slowly backing out of your parking spot.

Safety Tips For Women
Some of the top places that women are abducted or attacked are in grocery and shopping center parking lots or garages. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the potential attacker is looking for an easy victim, so there are several things you can do to prevent yourself from being that victim:
Be alert. Keep your head up at all times, and be aware of your surroundings. Always keep your distance when walking past strangers in a dark area. Attackers often look for someone who is distracted, such as searching through their purse or talking on their cell phone. While it might be a good idea to have your cell phone out (to show you have one) don’t be so absorbed in a conversation that you are oblivious to your surroundings.

Before getting into your car, look on either side of it, in the back seat, and even under the car. If you are parked next to a van on the driver’s side (especially one that doesn’t have windows in the back that you can easily see into), consider getting into your car via the passenger door. If there is a man sitting alone in a car on either side of you, think about going back into the store or shopping center and returning later, or asking for an escort to your car (such as a security guard or grocery bagger).

Once inside your car, do not sit there doing things like talking on your phone or going through your purchases. Lock the doors and drive away as soon as you get in.

If you are grabbed or are about to be, fight back. Yell, scream, hit/kick, continue trying to squirm out of his grasp, and/or use pepper spray if you have it. Again, the attacker is looking for an easy victim, and will probably give up if you put up a fight. Do not just go to the second location without putting up a fight, you never want to leave the first location if at all possible.

Keep Your Car’s Interior Clear
You make it easy for thieves if you leave your belongings visible through the windows of your vehicle. Make sure to put these away, either in your house or hidden in the trunk. This especially includes purses, electronics such as laptop computers or MP3 players, luggage, and shopping bags.

Follow these simple tips to help ensure both your safety and that of others. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!