These safety tips can protect you and your family when in a public place, such as a parking lot or parking garage. The good news is violent crime is down, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. One of the reasons could be that people are more aware of crime than they were in the past.
Here are a few precautions you can take to avoid being one of those unlucky few who are attacked.
When leaving a store or office building, there are some things that you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim of crime. When leaving a building, always have your keys in your hand. There are two reasons to do this.
1. On most keys there is an alarm button. You should become familiar with its location, because in an emergency, it should become an automatic response to hit the button. When walking to your car in an empty parking lot or when you are alone, you want to have your finger on the button.
2. The key becomes a weapon. Approaching your car, move the key between the index and middle finger. In this position, the key can be used to strike the eyes of an attacker, but a miss can cause damage when it hits the nose or throat. Most attackers will not anticipate resistance. The key should be used in quick thrusts, which are not as easy to deflect and are usually unexpected. You can follow through with the elbow, striking chin or chest. The elbow is one of your most powerful weapons; don’t be afraid to use it. You can combine that with a knee to the groin, if the attacker is male.
As you approach your car, look at vehicles parked around or near yours. A vehicle parked on the driver’s side may have an occupant. They will usually be seated near your driver’s door or behind your car. If you see someone, immediately return to the store or office and ask a security guard for an escort to your vehicle.
Always approach your vehicle from the rear. As you approach, look for broken glass on the pavement. That glass could be from your window when someone has entered your car. Approaching from the rear of the car affords you an opportunity to look into the rear seat, a favorite ambush point for assailants. Don’t wait until you are next to the door, look through the back window. If you wait to get a clear view through the rear passenger window, anyone hiding in the rear seat can open the door and attempt to grab you. Continue reading
