Your Life May Depend On It - Everyday Tips for Personal Safety - General Car Safety Tips

In another of my articles, I talked about howSafety Tip 4) Do you live in a cold climate? Don't
common sense and awareness are two of theleave your car warming up in the driveway with
most important tools you have in your personalthe doors unlocked and you inside the house.
safety and security toolkit. While that articleSounds cozy, but how easy are you trying to
concentrated on staying safe in shopping mallmake it for car thieves?
parking lots, here are also some practical tips thatSafety Tip 5) Another hint for cold climates -
you should be practicing when traveling around bycarry an emergency blanket, a pair of snow
car. Remember, the first step to personal safetyboots and a couple of cans of SlimFast or food
is prevention and here are more tips to help yousupplement in the trunk. Usually the best advice is
stay safe:to stay put if you are stranded on the side of the
Safety Tip 1) When you are entering yourroad in the snow. But you may want to have the
neighborhood or area where you are staying,snow boots if you absolutely have to get out and
especially at night, be aware of whether someonewalk or if you just need to use the outdoor
is behind you. Are you being followed? This mayfacilities...
sound like paranoia, but I know from FIRSTSafety Tip 6) NEVER, EVER, leave your child in
HAND EXPERIENCE how important this piece ofthe car unattended while you run into the store.
advice is and why I feel so strongly aboutNot even to a convenience store or the dry
awareness and safety. I was a victim of acleaner. Seems like too much work to get them
robbery in MY OWN FRONT YARD because I DIDout of the car seat? Too bad. Do it now or you
NOT PAY ATTENTION TO WHO WAS BEHINDmay regret it later. Or do your quick errands with
ME!!! If you see a car behind you that you are notthem safely at home or with a baby sitter.
familiar with, DO NOT STOP at your house orSafety Tip 7) NEVER, EVER, leave a child in the
destination. Drive past to see whether you arecar with the windows closed in the heat. It seems
really being followed. If you suspect you are, drivea repeat of above and it kind of is, but if you
back out to a populated area and see whetheraccidentally get locked out and your child is still in
they keep following you. Look for a fire station, athe car with the windows closed and unable to
police station or somewhere else that is populated.unlock the doors, IMMEDIATELY call 911. Car
Still being followed? Call 911 and let them knowinteriors can get extremely hot and it doesn't
what is happening and where you are.take long for your child's body heat to rise above
Safety Tip 2) Are you involved in a fendersafe levels. It breaks my heart everytime I hear
bender in a questionable or unpopulated area,of a child dying due to being left in an enclosed
particularly a minor collision where you are not atcar in the heat.
fault? Stay in your car and call 911. If it is a realSafety Tip 8) This is a corollary to Safety Tip 7 -
accident with innocent people, they won't minddon't leave your beloved pet in the car with the
waiting. If they look dangerous, pull away fromwindows closed in the heat. Depending on how
them (but stay in the area in case it washot it is, you may not want to even leave them
legitimate) and call 911.in the car with the window slightly open. The
Safety Tip 3) Leaving items in your car in plainopening may not be big enough to allow enough
site is just an invitation to thieves. Especially if youof the heat to escape.
own a convertible! Not only do you lose the item,By staying aware and prepared, you are well on
you lose your roof too. Take valuables with youyour way to being in charge of your own and
or put them in your trunk out of site.your family's personal security and safety.