Safety First

Being Aware Of Your Surroundings:
It is extremely important to always be aware of your surroundings.

We unfortunately now live in a very hostile world. Therefore it is important when we are out in public we keep in mind some general rules of safety. Those rules of safety include being aware of your surroundings, parking or traveling in well lit areas and other safety tips.

Here are a few tips on maintaining your safety in Parking Lots and Garages:

Probably one of the most critical pieces of safety information to remember when utilizing parking lots and garages is to be aware of your surroundings. When you leave any buildings, malls or other safe environments, it is important to concentrate specifically on what is happening around you.

If you see an individual, in parking lots and garages that you utilize, and that individual makes you feel uncomfortable, it is best to listen to your intuition. It would be wise, if uncomfortable, to turn around from where you came from and seek assistance on being escorted to your car.

It is also important to remember that, before getting into your vehicle, you survey the inside of your car. Also, when storing your purchases in your vehicle's trunk or passenger part of the car always be vigilant and remain on your guard.

In addition, if there is a large cargo van that is parked next to you, it would be prudent to enter your vehicle from the passenger side. This is to prevent an individual from emerging from the van and causing you harm.

Also, look at the passenger(s) in the vehicle(s) next to you. Again, if you feel the least bit uncomfortable with the situation it is best to walk back into the safe environment that you emerged from and have security personnel escort you to your vehicle.
Well Lit Areas:

When parking your vehicle in parking lots and garages, it is advisable to park your automobile in areas that are well lit and visible. This will not only allow you to visibly take in the area of your vehicle, but may also deter individuals from attempting any negative actions in areas that are out in the open and visible.

Other Safety Tips:
Other safety tips that can be utilized when you find yourself in parking lots and garages is to always travel within groups of people. Obviously, there is safety in numbers.

Also, it is best not to put yourself needlessly in harm's way. Therefore, avoid being out during hours of darkness. If your work requires that you stay beyond working hours, utilize any security personnel that may be in the building. Remember, it is perfectly acceptable to decline working past certain hours if your safety is a concern.

Another tip in protecting yourself in parking lots and garages is that of self-defense. This preparation can be accomplished by taking a self-defense course. Also, remember there are critical vulnerable areas of the body if you are attacked by a male. Those areas included the groin, the nose and the instep of the foot.

Finally, if you find yourself in a difficult situation, it is important to remember one specific piece of advice given by security professionals. That piece of advice states that you should never allow yourself to be taken and placed into the abductor's vehicle.

Let’s talk about ATM Security


Assuring your safety when using an automated teller machine
Automated teller machines have made banking more convenient than ever before. With the touch of a few buttons, you can withdraw cash, make deposits, and transfer funds virtually anywhere ATM machines are located. And with 300,000 ATMs in the U.S., that means just about anywhere. While ATMs are convenient, it just makes sense to exercise caution when using one. This includes protecting your ATM card and cash from view of others, and being aware of your surroundings.

Some tips to keep in mind:


Protect Your Card and PIN

Whether you choose your Personal Identification Number yourself, or your bank chooses it for you, it's very important to keep that number a secret. Don't write it on your card or give the number out to anyone, including friends and family. ATM fraud is most often committed by individuals who know the ATM cardholder.

Be Prepared

Have your ATM card ready and in your hand when you approach the machine. Don't pull it out of your purse or wallet when you get there.

Conduct Your Transaction Privately

Use common courtesy at the ATM. Give people ahead of you space to conduct their transactions. When you use the ATM, make sure no one watches you key in your pin number. Use your body to shield the ATM keypad.

Count Your Cash Later

Always count your cash later, once you have completed your ATM transaction, always put your money away immediately and leave the ATM premises. It's best to count your money later.

Lock Your Car Doors

If you leave your car and walk to the ATM, turn off your ignition and lock your car. If you use a drive-up ATM, be sure to roll up passenger windows and lock your car doors.

Observe Lighting and Landscape

Use extra caution when using an ATM at night. If the lights at the ATM are not working, don't use it. If shrubbery has grown up, or if a tree blocks the view, select another ATM and notify the bank to let them know whenever you notice anything at an ATM - from overgrown bushes or poor lighting to a malfunctioning machine.

Take a Friend at Night

If you must use the ATM at night, consider taking a friend along. These tips are meant to make you aware that although rare, ATM crime can happen. Preventing such a crime must be a cooperative effort between you and your bank.

The Bank's Role

Most banks are trying to ensure customer safety at all ATMs? They're putting ATMs in areas that are visible by people walking by, trimming landscape to prevent potential criminals from hiding, and installing or upgrading lighting that is bright enough for use at night. Some banks also have installed cameras, rear view mirrors, panic buttons and special signs. And most banks limit the amount of cash that can be withdrawn on a daily basis.

The Customer's Role

Bank customers should always use common sense when using an ATM.
These tips are a start, but the best advice is simply not to use an ATM if you feel at all uncomfortable doing so. ATMs provide convenience, but they haven't replaced the bank teller. If you prefer, conduct your business in the bank lobby.
If you have any questions, come in and talk to your banker.
Always be aware of your surroundings.


Avoid being alone in quiet areas and if you see any suspicious behavior, don’t dismiss it. Go with your instincts!

If you are walking down the street are in an area with lots of display windows, never miss the opportunity to see who is walking behind you. When traveling in your vehicle if you feel you are being followed, locate the nearest police station and pull into the parking lot blowing your horn.

A group of rapists and date rapists who were serving prison terms were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim.


Here are some frightening revelations:

1. The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2. The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around specifically to cut clothing.

3. They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard and can be easily overpowered.

4. Men are most likely to attack and rape in the early morning, between 5: 00a.m. and 8:30a.m.

5. The number one place women are abducted from or attacked is a grocery store parking lot. The number two is office parking lots and garages. Number three is public restrooms.

6. These men are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don’t have to worry about getting caught.

7. Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.

8. When putting up a fight, it discourages the rapist. Going after you will be too time-consuming.

9. They will not pick women carrying umbrellas or similar objects that can be used against them. Keys are NOT a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon.

Some good defense mechanisms:


1. If someone is following behind you on a street, a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like “what time is it?”, or make general small talk: “I can’t believe it is so cold out here. We’re in for a bad winter.” Now you’ve seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.

2. If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell “stop!” or “stay back!”

Most rapists would leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. They are looking for an EASY target.

3. If you carry pepper spray, yell “I have pepper spray!” Holding it out will be a deterrent.

4. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker very hard either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit) or in the upper inner thigh. Try pinching yourself in those places and feel how much it hurts.

5. After the initial hit, always go for the groin. You might be afraid that you’ll anger him and make him want to hurt you, but these rapists said that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble and he’s out of there.

6. If he approaches you with his hands toward to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible and exert as much pressure as you can pushing down on them. You can be sure it will hurt.

7. Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid being alone in quiet areas and if you see any suspicious behavior, don’t dismiss it. Go with your instincts!

You may feel a little silly at the time, but you’d feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

Tip from Tae Kwon Do:

The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

From a Tourist Guide in New Orleans:

If a robber asks for your wallet and or purse, do not hand it to him. Toss it away from you … chances are that he is more interested in your wallet or purse than you. Run like mad in the other direction.

Around Your Car:

1. If you are thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights, stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

2. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, or working and just sit doing their checkbook, or making a list. A predator might be watching. Here is a perfect opportunity for him to get in and put a gun to your head. Don’t take that chance. As soon as you get in the car, lock the doors and leave.

3. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head do not drive off. Instead, gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your air bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat, he will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run.

In a parking lot or parking garage:

1. Always be aware: Look around you, into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.

2. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

3. Look at the car parked on the driver’s side and the passenger side of your vehicle. If a man is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall or work, and get a guard or policeman to escort you.

It is always better to be safe than sorry and better paranoid than dead.

More helpful tips:

1. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot, especially at night!

2. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, run … preferably in a zigzag pattern. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ.

3. Rapists prey on a woman’s sympathy. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man who played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and asked “for help” into his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

A Scary Trick One Rapist and Others Have Used:


A woman heard a crying baby on her porch and called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her “Whatever you do, do not open the door.” The woman became worried as it sounded like the baby was near her window. Then she became concerned that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The police firmly said “We have a unit on the way, do not open the door.” Apparently, the police had received reports of a serial killer who has a baby’s cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.

This Article is not meant to frighten..........but to inform - Stay Safe & Stay Aware