Self Defense For Women and Your Car - 12 Tips For Personal Safety
Much crime takes place in and around cars.
And, too often, women are targets.
By taking these commonsense precautions you can avoid most unpleasant situations before they occur.
And no black belt in martial arts is needed.
Here are some actions you can take:
And, too often, women are targets.
By taking these commonsense precautions you can avoid most unpleasant situations before they occur.
And no black belt in martial arts is needed.
Here are some actions you can take:
- Keep you car well maintained.
Anything that immobilizes you makes you a sitting duck for predators.
So keep your car well maintained, make certain your tires are in good shape and don't let the gas tank sink down to the "E.
" - Keep your guard up in parking lots of malls and shopping centers.
These places are targets for car thieves and other predators. - Keep your car keys in your hands as you approach your car, especially in large shopping center lots.
A woman fiddling for her keys is a good target. - Keep your eyes and ears open when you approach your car.
Take a look around you.
Is anyone following? Silently note the appearance of the people and your environment.
Is anyone lurking near your car? Be especially wary when you are loading or unloading bags or large items. - Take a look inside the passenger compartment before getting into your car.
True tale: a Long Island woman unknowingly drive home from the shopping mall with an intruder crouched in her back seat.
Take a look underneath the car while you're at it, too. - Be cautious when approaching your car if it is parked next to a large SUV or other vehicle in a parking lot.
Large vehicles block the view of onlookers and conceal predators. - Lock your car.
Lock your car from the inside as soon as you enter and lock it from the outside when you leave.
Many a car has been stolen because it was left unlocked.
But more important, you prevent an unwanted person from having access to you when you are sitting inside a locked car. - Park in a well lit area when possible.
Predators like to hide in the shadows. - Keep your windows closed especially when driving on residential and commercial streets.
Predators have been known to force their way in through car windows of drivers stopped at intersections. - For that reason, don't sit your handbag on the passenger seat next to you when driving.
Your handbag is an enticing target for thieves who will snatch and grab--or break a window. - Don't leave valuables in plain sight when you leave your car.
If you use a window mounted GPS, be sure to take it with you and wipe off the tell-tale suction marks on your windshield when you leave your car. - If you plan to valet park your car, keep your car keys separate from other keys and only give the valet the key necessary to start your car.