Fall Season Safety Tips

Fall has arrived, daylight savings time has ended, and darkness is falling earlier. All those activities previously done in daylight will now occur in darkness: Going to your vehicle after work, picking up your children from after‐school activities and sports. You may already be doing holiday shopping in the evening. Even though it is only after 5 p.m., it is as dark as if it is 9 p.m. Here are a few crime prevention tips to make the transition easier:

Parking Lot Safety Tips

Nothing you can do will protect you from being the victim of a crime 100% of the time, however by practicing good crime prevention you can lessen your odds of being a victim.

Park under a parking lot light when you arrive to work or are returning from lunch. Your car will then be well lit when you walk to it after work when it is dark. This also pertains if you are shopping at night.

Make sure all your windows are up and all doors locked when you leave your vehicle.

Activate your car alarm system when you exit your car.

Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings when walking to your car.

Have your keys already in hand when you approach your car. Searching for car keys can make you vulnerable. Do not activate the unlock function on your remote until you are right at your car.

Do not leave cell phones, wallets, purses, briefcases, packages, shopping bags etc. on the seat or anywhere in the car.

Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with campers, or vehicles with darkened windows.

Walk out to your car with other employees when leaving work.

A small flashlight and whistle are items that are good to have in hand or on your key ring.

Keep your cell phone in hand while you walk to your car.

Look at your vehicle as you walk towards it. If you notice someone near your vehicle, do not approach it. Go back into work, or the store you came from or a safe place and dial 9-1-1.

Nothing you can do will protect you from being the victim of a crime 100% of the time, however by practicing good crime prevention you can lessen your odds of being a victim.

Park under a parking lot light when you arrive to work or are returning from lunch. Your car will then be well lit when you walk to it after work when it is dark. This also pertains if you are shopping at night.

Make sure all your windows are up and all doors locked when you leave your vehicle.

Activate your car alarm system when you exit your car.

Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings when walking to your car.

Have your keys already in hand when you approach your car. Searching for car keys can make you vulnerable. Do not activate the unlock function on your remote until you are right at your car.

Do not leave cell phones, wallets, purses, briefcases, packages, shopping bags etc. on the seat or anywhere in the car.

Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with campers, or vehicles with darkened windows.

Walk out to your car with other employees when leaving work.

A small flashlight and whistle are items that are good to have in hand or on your key ring.

Keep your cell phone in hand while you walk to your car.

Look at your vehicle as you walk towards it. If you notice someone near your vehicle, do not approach it. Go back into work, or the store you came from or a safe place and dial 9-1-1.