Safety Techniques

Top 10 Parking Lot Safety Tips

Parking lots are often where crimes and attacks occur due to low visibility, seclusion and at certain times of the day, low on traffic. We use parking lots to park our vehicles nearly every place we go or for every activity we are involved in. These places may include work, restaurants, health club, care centers and medical offices, shopping centers and malls, grocery and convenience stores, gas station, church, bank, and post office. Think about all the various parking lots that you use throughout a week.

When walking through any parking lot, high awareness of your surroundings and the activity around you is critical to your personal safety. Following are my top 10 tips to increase your awareness of the potential dangers in all parking lots.

1. Start by parking your vehicle in a well lit area and as close to the entrance doors of your destination as possible.

2. Find a parking spot that you can either back into or pull forward into the adjoining spot so your vehicle is facing outward to the isle. This will enable you to pull out of the parking spot rather then having to back out, which allows for a quicker exit to escape immediate danger if needed.

3. Remember where you park. Look around and identify landmarks or signs by where your vehicle is parked. Do not identify the vehicles you parked next to as landmarks, since they may not be there when you return.

4. Avoid parking next to enclosed vans or large vehicles. These vehicles can potentially be a trap for an unsuspecting victim. The attack will be hidden from the public due to your vehicle being out of sight. Attackers can easily open their van door, quickly grab their victim and push them into the van without anyone ever noticing.

5. You are very vulnerable when getting into and out of your vehicle. Before exiting, look in all of your mirrors and through windows to spot any suspicious or concerning activity. Do not get out if you see something concerning. Instead, drive away to a safer area.

6. Always roll up the windows, take your keys and lock your vehicle before leaving it. This will not only deter someone from stealing your car, but makes it more difficult for an attacker to enter and hide in your vehicle, waiting for your return.

7. Make it a new habit to always take out your keys and place in your hands before proceeding to your vehicle. This serves two purposes. First, the keys themselves are readily available to use as a weapon if unexpectedly attacked. Second, by having your keys quickly at hand, you are better prepared to hurriedly unlock and enter your vehicle for a fast escape when necessary.

8. When walking to your vehicle, avoid short cutting and walking between parked cars. This places you in an unsafe environment with a potential attacker just waiting for your arrival. Walk up the isles against the arrows so all vehicles drive towards you. This prevents an attacker from driving up behind and grabbing you, your purse or packages.

9. As you approach your vehicle, quickly glance underneath and around the perimeter to ensure no one is hiding there, ready and waiting for your return. Next, before entering your vehicle, look through the windows to ensure there is not a possible attacker hiding inside.

10. Always approach and enter your vehicle quickly and immediately lock your doors, once seated. This will reduce the chance for someone to open your door and attack as you are preparing to leave.

Now that you are informed of my top 10 parking lot safety tips, incorporate them into your everyday parking lot behavior. You are certain to become much more aware of your personal safety by doing so.

Be Safe!

Get Informed. Become Aware. Take Responsibility.