Parking Lot Safety

This is another not so fun topic to discuss but something I want to talk about. So many people get into a routine with their daily activities, to the point of almost being robotic. This is when you are in the most danger of getting blindsided by trouble. Specifically, I want to talk about parking lot safety. Yesterday at my local grocery store, I noticed a woman sitting in her car, with the engine running and the driver door open while she looked over her receipt, another woman loading her groceries in her car while her purse was sitting in the top of the shopping cart, and finally another woman who was juggling three over laden grocery bags while her toddler (no more than three) darted around the parking lot. You might be thinking, “hey sounds like any other day at the grocery store”, and maybe even “I do that stuff all time”. Let me be honest, I do it too, more than I would like to admit. And truthfully, they all seem pretty innocent, but it’s only takes one moment of innocence for trouble to strike.

Get in and Lock up

You should never sit in your car in a parking lot, day or night, without the doors closed and locked. Car jacking is on the rise in our country. If you are sitting there in your car with the engine running and the door open, you are a perfect target for someone to either remove you from the vehicle and drive off or force you over and get in. I am not saying that you can’t look over your receipt before you drive away from the store, just get all the way into your car and lock the door while you sit there. And always give your car a once over as you are walking toward it. If anything looks strange, go back inside and ask a bagger to come out with you. Look into your windows to be sure that no one in lying in wait in the backseat. If you feel like that car that has circled three times without parking (especially if there are lots of available spots) go back inside and wait for the car to leave or park, if they don’t alert the store manager)

Never Leave Valuables Unattended

There are two things that should be put in the car as soon as you get to it – your children and your purse. In reality, our groceries are replaceable and can wait till last. But if you leave your children unattended for the short time it takes to load up your groceries, they could be easily grabbed and put into a waiting car. The same goes for your purse. If you are like me, your life is in your purse. Not only would it be costly, it would be terribly inconvenient if you lost your entire purse.

Use a Cart

Unless you can hold your child’s hand and carry the groceries, always use a cart. Most little ones are smaller than a car’s bumper and therefore are not visible in a rearview mirror. So just make it easier and use a cart to push your groceries and child out to your vehicle. And if your child is walking and gets away from you do not be scared to scream, yell and middle name them to get their attention. If people look at you like you are nuts – they probably don’t have children. Better to look a fool for a moment, then mourn for a lifetime.

Be Defensive

It is best to go to stores in the day time and at non-busy times. But this is not always possible. So you need to be defensive. Walk tall and with purpose. If it is very dark and you have long way to go, get your keys in one hand and your cell phone in the other before your leave the building. Put your keys through your fingers like spikes, ready to swing. You might also consider carrying pepper spray, but only if you are comfortable with the prospect. Do not stop for strangers, even if they look “normal” – criminals spend a lot of time practicing on “looking normal”.

Again, I am not trying to turn you into a paranoid, quivering, agoraphobic. I am merely, trying to put these concepts into your mind, before something happens. If you are going to be an active member of society you have to also be a cautious member.