Carjacking-Are you prepared?
How do you carry in your car? Is your firearm easily accessible? Did you know most carjackings take place 2 miles from the victims house? Are you prepared?
Here are some tips!
To reduce your risk of being a carjacking victim, take heed of the following safety precautions:
*Be suspicious of anyone sitting in a nearby car.
*Don’t be afraid to ask for a store security guard to walk you to your car.
*Teach your children to pay attention to their surroundings when entering and exiting a vehicle.
*If someone tries to approach you, run away or retreat back into the building from which you came.
*Always be cautious and look around the outside of your car, under it, and inside before entering.
*Avoiding parking near walls, bushes, dumpsters, and other surroundings that someone can hide behind.
*Be aware of individuals handing out flyers, selling candy or merchandise in and around parking areas.
*If you plan to arrive or leave a place after dark, park in areas that you know will be well lit at night.
*Make sure you are not being followed and always look around as you load shopping bags and other goods into your car.
*Get into the habit of swiftly entering your vehicle, locking your doors, starting your engine, and driving away as quickly and safely as possible.
*Always drives with your car doors locked.
*Listen to your instincts. If you sense something is not right, flee the area.
*Do not argue with the perpetrator. Give up your keys and/or other personal items as demanded.
*Avoid driving with your windows down in areas where you have to make frequent stops at lights and intersections.
*If you are carjacked, immediately call the police! Do not try to follow the carjacker, as you could be hurt or killed!
*When in traffic, if possible, attempt to leave room between your car and the car in front you so as you can quickly drive away if approached by a criminal.
*If an individual bumps your vehicle from behind with his own car, be suspicious. Wave for him to follow you to a heavily populated area or local police station.
*Record your vehicle identification number and license plate number on a piece of paper and keep it with your driver’s license. In the case of a carjacking, both the police and insurance company will require this information. The quicker you can provide it to them, the better.
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