Inside Parking Lots and Garages

Here are a few safety tips when using parking lots and parking garages:

• Hide or remove your valuables when leaving your car.
  
• Remove GPS mount from view.
  
• Park close to your destination, even if it means waiting for a space to become free.
  
• At night, try to park under a street light.
  
• Leave your engine running until you've gathered everything and you're ready to get out of the car. Check your surroundings to make sure its safe before you get out of the car.
  
• If you're comfortable backing into parking spaces, it's a good way to park, because it means you can leave quickly if the situation becomes dangerous.
  
• When you're walking back to your car, keep your keys in hand, so you can get into the car quickly or use them as a weapon if needed.
  
• Always take the most brightly-lit path to and from your car.
  
• As you approach the vehicle, check the front and back seats to make sure no one is hiding inside.
  
• Lock your doors once you get inside the car.
  
• If someone suspicious approaches you, honk your horn and flash the lights to draw attention.
  
• Trust your instinct — if you sense danger when you are parking or coming back to your car, leave the area until you're sure it is secure.
  
• Ask security to walk you to your car if you feel you are not safe.
  
• Get in the habit of rolling up your car windows and locking your car doors.