Fuel for the Mind As Well As Your Car

The Reason for This Unusual Blog Post

Because my writing focus involves holistic wellness topics, you might have a question about why I’m telling you what you should do or think about when you go to get gas in your car. But I believe that safety is a part of wellness, so I’m going to give you a few tips I’ve learned when attending security seminars given by the local authorities.

Sometimes Mother Does Know Best

By the way, the police are not my only resource. Women have shared hard-learned lessons with me—horror stories—about what happened when they failed to pay enough attention to this kind of advice while running what should have been a simple errand.

8 Tried-and-True Tips

1. Remember to lock your car when you park at one of the gas bays. Most cars unlock automatically when stopped. While you are digging in your purse for your credit card or other payment method, things can happen.
   

   Criminals Never Sleep

Thieves watch for those vulnerable moments when the doors are unlocked and you have not yet left your vehicle. It’s very easy for a strong man to jerk your door open. He can either pull you out and dump you on the ground or shove you to the side and take off.  Or worse.

Credit Card Procedures

2. If you’re using a credit card, remember to check the card slot to make sure it is legitimate. Some of them look like they are, but they can deceive you. Tug at them to make sure they aren’t removable fakes and inspect them to make sure that they look familiar. If you’re unsure, ask the store clerk or security guard to check them for you.
3. Beware of how you retrieve your credit card. Pull it discreetly from your wallet or purse and immediately return it to a zippered compartment directly following your transaction. Tuck your wallet or purse tightly under your arm to keep anyone from taking it.
   

   
   Look Around While Traveling

4. Scan your surroundings, and don’t underestimate your woman’s intuition. If something feels off or wrong somehow, leave there and go to another gas station. Most likely there will be one close by and it is unlikely you will regret your decision.
5. Avoid going to gas stations or convenience stores late at night, especially if you are traveling alone. The data reveal that most gas stations are robbed between 10 pm and midnight by intoxicated 25-year-old males. But there are always exceptions.
   

   
   Critical Things Left Behind

6. Never, ever, ever, ever go shopping at the gas station (convenience) store and leave your keys in the ignition or on the car seat. Don’t leave your purse there. Don’t leave your wallet there. Don’t leave your cell phone there. Yes, these things have happened. I don’t need to tell you how disastrous the results were.
7. Unless you are working as a security guard, police officer or military member, I don’t recommend that women carry a gun at all. Most people get hurt or killed with their own guns. Even experienced policemen can miss six shots before hitting their target.
8. If you must carry a weapon, do not leave it on your car seat or in your glove compartment. It is one of the major things that thieves will break into a car to steal.

Before You Freak Out…

Don’t let my advice induce paranoia or destroy any chance of your enjoying yourself when you go out somewhere. Just exercise caution, look around you, and use common sense. You’ll be fine.

What other related safety tips do you have to share? Mention them in the Comment box below.