I got a call the other day from a friend who was alarmed by something she’d seen earlier that morning.
“I saw a little girl in a car,” she began, “and she was crying and calling, ‘Mommy.’ I looked around and noticed her mother had left her in the car while she ran up to a building to drop something off.”
But what especially alarmed my friend—who admitted that she, too, has left her child unattended in a car just long enough to run an errand--- was that the woman had left the car running.
“What was she thinking?” my friend asked, in disbelief. “Anyone could’ve jumped in that car and taken off with the child, and the woman wouldn’t have been able to catch her.”
And she’s right. Carjackings can and do happen anywhere and at anytime. In fact, they most frequently happen in very public places—places you wouldn’t expect, such as at traffic or stop lights at intersections, parking garages, shopping malls, gas stations, car washes, residential driveways, and even valet parking entries (outlets/areas?).
Luckily, there are several things you can do to reduce your chances of being a victim of carjacking. Following are 10 things you can do today to protect yourself and your vehicle from violent vehicle theft:
1. Avoid parking in areas where you cannot see easily or where others cannot easily see you
2. Always be alert to your surroundings, even when you’re in a hurry
3. Follow your instincts if you sense any type of danger, even though none may appear imminent
4. If you notice someone loitering near your unoccupied car, keep walking until the person leaves
5. When approaching your vehicle, keep your key in your hand and check the back seat--and yes, even underneath it-- before getting in
6. Don’t linger; when you enter your vehicle, always lock your door, start your engine, and drive away
7. Teach young children to quickly enter and exit the car
8. Always drive with your doors locked and windows rolled up
9. Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out flyers. If someone makes you feel uneasy, get into your car quickly, lock your doors, and drive away
10. If you see a stranger whose car has broken down, stay in your car and use your cellphone to dial police for help
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