Things To Know About Parking Lot Safety 

Parking Lot Safety Concerns

Parking lot safety is a concern for many business owners. The risk of theft, robbery, and assault can be reduced with proper lighting, cameras, and security guards. Here are some tips for improving parking lot safety. Parking lots are the most common locations for crimes, especially during the evening, when fewer people are around, and criminals can blend into the darkness. Parking lot security concerns include robbery, assault, and structural concerns.

Robbery

The first thing to consider when thinking about parking lot safety is robbery. Knowing what you can do to prevent being robbed and how to react if it happens to you is essential. This is one of the reasons why it is important to stay aware of your surroundings while walking in a parking lot late at night or early in the morning. You should also make sure that you lock your car doors when you park them and conceal any items that could be stolen from them.

Assault

Another concern many people have when they visit a parking lot is assault. Many people worry about being assaulted by someone who may have been waiting for them in the parking lot, especially if they do not know their attacker. While this type of assault happens occasionally, it is not very common, and most people will never experience it in their lifetime. If it were ever to happen, the best way to deal with this type of situation would be to remain calm and keep yourself out of harm's way as much as possible until help arrives.

Parking Lot Structural Concerns

Structural concerns can be due to faulty designs, environmental changes, etc. 

Debris

Debris in parking lots can cause damage to vehicles, pedestrians, and buildings. Debris in parking lots may include broken glass, nails, or other sharp objects that can cause injury to those who step on them or drive over them with their car tires. Debris left behind by previous snowstorms can accumulate in parking lots and create dangerous driving conditions for drivers. It is essential to clear debris from your property so that it does not obstruct customers' ability to enter and exit your business location safely.

Snow and Ice

Snow and ice also create dangerous conditions for drivers who might lose control of their vehicles on slick surfaces, leading to serious accidents and injuries. 

Potholes

Potholes may form when water gets trapped under pavement due to poor drainage. When water freezes, it expands, causing cracks in pavement surfaces which eventually become holes in the pavement and potential hazards.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Be aware of your surroundings when entering or exiting your car. Do not fiddle with your keys or other items that can be easily stolen from your hands when you are in the parking lot. Keep them in your pocket or purse instead. If you do not have enough pockets, consider getting a hidden key holder for your key ring. Thieves will think twice about stealing from someone who does not appear easy prey. If you hold something in your hands, be sure it is something you could use for self-defense if necessary. For example, don’t carry keys and fiddle with them. But if you are aware of your surroundings, hold your keys between your fingers and have them ready to defend yourself if you need to.

Lock Your Doors

Always lock all doors when getting out of your car, even if it's just for a momentary trip inside to pay for gas or visit the restroom. A thief could jump into the driver's seat while you are away and take off with your vehicle while you're busy paying at the pump or making a restroom stop. You don't want this happening to you!

Use Mirrors

When you park in a parking lot, it is important to use mirrors to check behind and on both sides of your vehicle. This will help ensure that no one is inside or near your car. If someone is there when you check, do not open the door until they leave.

Not only should you use your vehicle mirrors, but many parking garages and businesses have also mirrors installed so you can see areas that may not otherwise be visible. Rely on your mirrors and those installed in the parking lot. 

Conceal Items In Trunk - Not Visible In Car

If you have items you don't want visible in your cars, such as tools or other valuables, conceal them in your trunk so they cannot be seen outside the vehicle. This will discourage thieves from breaking into your car or stealing anything from inside it. You should also remove any personal belongings from your car when it is parked in a public area like a parking lot at work or school since these items could be stolen by thieves if left unattended while you are away from your car.

Cover What Cannot Go Into Trunk

When you cannot fit all your valuables in the trunk, cover them up on the floor so potential thieves cannot see what is in your car. 

Park Where Lighting Is Best

It may seem obvious, but some people forget that older cars don’t have as much lighting as newer cars. Make sure you park your car in an area of your parking lot with good lighting so that other drivers can see it clearly at night. This will help prevent accidents when someone tries to back out of their parking spot at night and doesn't know what is behind them or around them.

Stay Off Your Phone - No Distractions

Another tip for improving parking lot safety is to stay off your phone when walking outside your building, from car to door at night or during other low light situations. Even though it may seem like a good idea to have your phone in your hand, it can easily distract you from your surroundings. 

Remote Security Can Help Improve Security and Safety

Ultimately, parking lot security heavily depends upon individuals to ensure their safety in their travels to and from the parking lot. These simple tips will help you navigate parking lots and avoid being victimized.

Additionally, business owners should create a haven for anyone utilizing the space. ArcEye Property Defense provides proactive video monitoring and virtual security guards to help drivers see these parking lots safely and freely. There will always be some deterrent that requires constant monitoring, but with proper knowledge, one can avoid most of those vulnerabilities before they present themselves.