Safety Tips For Staying Alive in Parking Garages & Mall Lots! (Part 2)

Posted on August 3, 2008
Filed Under Gut-feelings on Personal Safety, Personal Safety, Personal Security, Personal protection devices, Security and Safety Tips, Self-Defense Tips

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Safety Tips for Staying Alive in Public Parking Garages-Mall Parking Lots

For violent crimes, parking garages and lots are ranked second after crimes committed on residential property. Specifically, in parking garages, dim lighting combined with several parked vehicles make it easy for criminals to hide.

As you are walking to your car in a public parking garage, remember where you parked your car. Keep the parking level information handy to make it easy to find your car. As you approach your car be aware of others who may be lingering nearby. This is a perfect time for a criminal predator to be waiting for an unconscious victim as she walks to her car while looking in her purse for car keys, talking on a cell phone, or juggling packages totally unaware of what is going on around her.

Here are some safety tips that can help reduce violent incidents that can happen in public parking garages/lots:

1.   Identify entrances and exits when entering a parking facility. Remember the level that you parked your car on so you don’t spend unnecessary time searching for your car.
2.   Be aware of your surroundings. When you get to your car, look inside - front and back seats - and lock your doors as soon as you are inside. Leave the parking garage/lot right away.
3.   If possible, park next to entrances or in open and well-lit areas.
4.   Always roll up windows, close the sunroof and lock the doors before leaving your car.
5.   Avoid leaving valuables in your car; don’t leave your cell phone plugged in to the cigarette lighter and in plain view.
6.   When returning to your vehicle keep your keys in hand and walk with a purpose, pay attention to your surroundings, and don’t be on your cell phone. Wait until you are in your car with the doors locked - then - if you must - make that call.
7.   Trust your instinct, if you do not feel comfortable ask a security officer to escort you to your vehicle.
8.   Report any suspicious activity immediately to security.
9.   Do not linger around your car, prepare to enter the car quickly and drive away.
10. Keep the doors locked and windows up until you have exited the facility.
11. Carry some kind of personal protection device like pepper spray, stun gun, Taser C2 or a loud personal alarm.
12. Take a self-defense or safety awareness class to learn techniques and tactics that will help if attacked by a predator. Remember your first goal is to get away to safety, but if you must fight, use whatever you can to save your life!

Always be prepared - especially when you are by yourself in places like a public parking garage or mall parking lot.

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

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Comments

2 Responses to “Safety Tips For Staying Alive in Parking Garages & Mall Lots! (Part 2)”

Mike Armstrong on August 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm

Excellent Safety Tips, We are so glad that you share all this information.
Murder In A California Parking Garage - Stay Aware, Stay Alert, Stay Alive! | Self-Defense With An Attitude on August 8th, 2008 9:03 am

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