Own Your Space: 10 Parking Lot Safety Tips for Women
Most people put little thought into parking lots. They are just places we have to walk through, right? Ideally, yes! But to some bad actors, they are places of opportunity. When you’re leaving work, the store, the gym, or anywhere else, a few simple habits can reduce your risk. The steps below do not rely on physical fitness, self-defense training, or weapons; they are just small tweaks that any woman can make to be safer and feel more comfortable.
Start with where you first park. Try to park somewhere well lit and well traveled; avoid isolated corners far away from the store, or the side of the building where there are no windows or lighting.
Park in a location that is easy to exit. If you’re comfortable backing into a parking spot and you don’t anticipate needing trunk access, that is a great way to make your exit as easy as possible. If you do need to use your trunk, park in a way that lets you access it without squeezing between cars or putting yourself in a tight, vulnerable space.
Try to avoid routines and patterns. Do you always go straight from work to the gym at 5:15, then to the grocery store right at 6:00, and take the same roads back home at 6:30? This might make your life easier and more predictable, but it can also make you predictable to criminals. Shake up your routine, drive different routes, and go to different grocery stores on occasion. Don’t make life easier for somebody with bad intentions.
Keep your head up! Don’t walk around with your nose in your phone; don’t stare at your shoes. Get your head up, eyes up, and walk with purpose and confidence. Look around you and notice what is (and what isn’t) normal. Do you notice anything out of the ordinary? How many people do you see? Does the same person keep popping up everywhere you look? Do you hear any noises that you wouldn’t expect? Observation is the first, and arguably most important, step in keeping yourself safe.
When you return to your vehicle, have your keys ready to go. Don’t waste time searching around in your purse for the keys or the unlock button. The process of getting to, unlocking, and entering your vehicle should be quick and efficient. If you can, try to only unlock the driver’s side door. If you have kids with you, focus on getting them into the vehicle and secured as efficiently as possible so that you can minimize the amount of time you’re stationary and distracted. (We’ll have several blog posts with detailed safety tips for parents coming soon).
Lock the door immediately. Action is faster than reaction - if somebody grabs the handle while you are messing with the radio, you won’t reach the lock button before they get the door open. Avoid trying to race somebody to the lock button, and just lock the door immediately upon entering the vehicle.
Exit quickly. Don’t sit in your car and play on your phone or organize your center console. Get in, lock the door, start the car, and get out.
You do NOT owe anybody your time, your kindness, your smile, or your conversation. If somebody is making your uncomfortable, following you, or is repeatedly getting in your space, let them know that you see them. You are not responsible for making a stranger feel comfortable at the expense of your own safety.
Most importantly - DO NOT ignore your instincts! If your gut says something is wrong, listen to it. You can always return to the store and ask for security to escort you to your vehicle. It is not embarrassing, dramatic, or silly to ask for help, and it is always better safe than sorry.
If you do choose to carry a weapon, make sure you are comfortable with accessing and using it under stress. But whether or not you choose to carry, remember - confidence is a deterrent. Walk around like you own the place, apply the above steps to your daily routines, and keep yourself safe.
Staying safe isn’t about living in fear; it’s about being prepared. You can’t control other people, but you can control your situational awareness, your habits, and how you respond when something feels off. Awareness over fear. Preparation over paranoia. Confidence over complacency. You are worth protecting!
Thinking about starting to carry a firearm? Check out this post about what to expect at the range:
https://www.hercarryapparel.com/blog/what-i-wish-i-knew-my-first-time-at-the-range
