Safety First!
WARNING: Serious post here.
I’m still shaken up about an incident that happened last week at our local Wal-Mart. It really hit way too close to home and got me to thinking a lot about safety.
A Mom and daughter stopped at the store around 7:00 p.m. to pick up a quick birthday present on their way to a party. Mom got out of the car to move a basket in a parking spot so she could pull in. (Oh, how many times have I done this!) A Man surprised Mom and put a gun to her head. After shoving her aside, he steals her purse and car with her 7 year old daughter still inside. Thankfully, the man let the daughter go. Well, he told the young girl to get out when they reached the garden center and she jumped. Both Mom and daughter got away with scratches, bruises and a lot of mental anguish that will take some time to heal. This looser still hasn’t been found.
Ladies, we must be vigilant in our daily routines. Check a third or fourth time before getting out of your car, even if you’re in your own driveway or garage. Put those cell phones down and pay attention. At all times.
I for one am guilty of getting so wrapped up in my “to do list,” I’m not as cautious as I should be. Especially at home.
A Few Home Safety Tips
* A pile of newspapers in the driveway is a dead giveaway you’re gone. Even a pizza flyer on your front door can be used to see how long it takes you to remove it.
*If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create a few car and foot tracks leading up to the house.
* A burglar might knock first. If you answer, they’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. If you don’t answer or let them know someone is home, they might just come on in.
* A burglar won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, they can take it with them.
* A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town or just running errands, buy a timer.
* Sometimes, a burglar carries a clipboard or dresses like a lawn guy with a rake. I bet they never try to look like a crook.
* Two things burglars hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
* Fake Security Camera with Blinking Light LOOKS REAL!
* Shut those windows and blinds before dark. It’s way too easy to see if you’re home, or what kind of goodies you have inside through those windows.
* Leave your keys by your bed. If you hear something outside at night, set off your car alarm.
**** Don’t announce you’re on vacation, or heading out to run errands on your Facebook page or twitter account. Pictures during the trip probably are not a good idea either! With all those changes FB goes through, who knows who is seeing what anymore.
There is a lot of controversy these days over guns, and what needs to be done. I’m not here to push my views on anyone, but this was the shove I needed to sign up to get my CHL. Sad truth. A criminal will always find a way to get a gun. I just want to make sure I’m trained and ready to protect my kids.
Jan 28, 2013 @ 03:59:31
Thanks for the reminder, Melissa. I’m way too unaware of what’s going on around me.
My neighbor stopped by last night and told me that at his church in Newport Beach (read: rich area) a woman walked from church to her car, and a guy rolled out from under her car! He was stealing the catalytic converter for the Platinum.
The world’s gone mad.
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:21:53
I agree, Laura! The world does seem to have gone mad! Now more than ever, we need to not take anything for granted.
That’s unbelievable about the guy stealing pieces off a car! Good grief!
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:36:48
Wow, Laura. I’ve heard of them hiding underneath and then grabbing your legs when you walk up (scary!), but not stealing the catalytic converter.
Gwen Hernandez recently posted..Lessons from my son
Jan 28, 2013 @ 04:44:28
Wow, Melissa this is crazy! Laura, the world really does seem to have gone mad!
In Winston-Salem last month a man snuck into the backseat of a woman’s SUV as she was returning her cart to the cart rack, just a few vehicles away! He popped up when she pulled out of the parking lot and forced her at gunpoint to drive him to Mt Airy, 35 miles away then beat and raped her! The police found her on the roadside. It seems crazy to lock your doors to move 10 feet but I am trying to remember!
I’ll add barking dogs to your list. A few months after we moved to our current home, everyone on the street was robbed, except us! The police came by, since all the neighbor s suspected us! (nice…) the police looked at my four howling siberian huskies and laughed. We also put in motion controlled lights outside, the police said this unnerves thieves.
I actually leave an audiobook playing on the wireless stereo, the sound seems to calm my batshit-crazy dogs and also from outside, it sounds like someone is talking on the phone.
Actually, I think my home might seem more occupied when I’m away! LOL
Cristine Gasser recently posted..First Impressions…. first lines…
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:27:18
I’ve always felt silly locking my doors when returning the cart to the rack. Not anymore! That poor woman! Dogs really are the best deterant. We used to have a wonderful Golden Retriever who barked like she wanted to eat you alive. Sadly, she passed on last Aug. Now we are working to train the new puppy to bark instead of get excited wanting to play when the doorbell rings. I’m putting motion lights on my list!
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 05:56:55
We women try so hard to help. I think it’s hard wired. Male assailants from Bundy to…other bad guys…know it. We had a knock late last week on our door and my husband was home. My thought when I saw the man on the porch–stranded motorist with kids. My husband, however, tucked in a weapon and waited before opening the inner door only and asked the guys business. Turns out he was our in the single digits to save our souls. But all he got from the good doc was a lecture in his crappy timing (and he never did open that door). I was pissed at the husband, anxious, worried for the imagined family in the imagined car. The urge to help was visceral, was overwhelming every analytic faculty I have. . I was SO wrong. Don’t offer to carry packages, open car doors, give a ride. Help by making calls from the safety of your own locked vehicle or inside a public place.
Keri Stevens recently posted..Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop: Win a Kindle Fire and more!
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:30:19
I hate not being able to help others. But you just can’t be too careful now days. My hubby would have done the same thing! He tells me all the time, It’s better to be safe than sorry. Does this mean I have to admit he just might be right? Noooooooooo…say it isn’t so! LOL
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 06:04:31
So, true! It is our first thought to help. I am always concerned people might need help. I know, I have a few times.
I keep a leash handy, I leave the house with dog at my side! –it is amazing the effect a siberian husky on a leash has when I walk up to someone. Oddly, a lot of people actually ask if the dog is protective or if he is a ‘scaredy-cat’. I look deadpan and say “He protects me.” Sadly, anyone who knows the breed would giggle! It’s just a genetic memory I guess, they look like wolves and people respect them!
Cristine Gasser recently posted..First Impressions…. first lines…
Jan 28, 2013 @ 09:36:10
Great advise – most of it is basic common sense that we tend to forget. Another good one is don’t leave expensive electronic boxes beside your trash bin – try and cut them up and place them inside a bag or the trash can itself.
I am constantly amazed at the number of friends that will post pix of their vacation (and all the way there and back home) on facebook. i always wait till i am back home to share my photos. Nice trip but great to be back home …..
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:32:57
Great tip, Heather! Boxes would be a dead giveaway to new, shiny toys that someone else might want to help themselves to.
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 12:01:24
Great reminders, Melissa.
I hate going to the store by myself at night. I think my grandmother instilled me with–I won’t say fear, but strong awareness that the world is not safe, especially for a solitary woman. I’m terrified of guns, but maybe a self-defense class is in order.
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:36:46
Strong awareness is a good thing, Shawna. I try hard not to go out past dark, but sometimes you just can’t help it. A self-defense class is on my to do list too and I’m taking my two teenage daughters with me!
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 16:40:26
I am a huge believer in paying attention and being careful. Some of those are good tips, but none of them would have stopped the guy with the gun in the WalMart parking lot. Once that gun is to your head, even having a gun on your hip isn’t going to stop him. He can shoot before you can even touch it.
Everyone talks about not posting vacation photos on your Facebook, and it’s logical not to announce that you’re out of town, but how many burglars are following me on Facebook, hanging out in my area of Podunkville, just waiting for me to announce that I’m going away? Isn’t physical canvassing going to give them better ROI?
Laura, what the heck kind of car did that woman have that was high enough off the ground that a guy could not only get under it, but roll out from underneath it? My car has like a six-inch clearance. No way anyone is getting under that baby without jacks. Even my husband’s old SUV wasn’t high enough for someone to be able to get under and out quickly.
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Get My Signature on Your E-Books
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:06:36
I think some of that posting to FB could be your friends’ kids looking…or brothers or something like that. you just never really know. and I know I’m horrible about that stuff too.
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:11:58
Oooh, good point, Keri! I only think about *strangers* being criminals. Not people I know! There’s a big flaw, huh?
Of course, my kids don’t have very many friends, and all of mine are either *very* close friends or in other states or countries, so I’m probably okay. Still, I needed that perspective shift! Thank you!
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Get My Signature on Your E-Books
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:46:38
Good points, Natalie.
You just never know until you’re in a situation what will work or how you will react. I’m just glad he let the little girl get out when he did.
As far as FB goes, Keri is right about kids and their friends, and friends of friends. I’ve noticed lately, that if one of my friends likes someone’s photo who I’m not friends with it shows up on my wall for some reason. I have no idea why. I must have some button clicked I shouldn’t or maybe it’s them that has the button clicked. Ack!
I have a three quarter ton Suburban with oversized tires and it sits high enough for several people to roll under. I’ll be watching that more closely now!
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:51:40
There was a carjacking in Savage, MD, a couple of decades ago, with an infant in the car. The way they handled that and what happened to the mother and child haunted me for a very long time. I’m so glad both the mother and the 7-year-old were okay. I can’t imagine the terror of seeing someone drive off with your kid like that.
I think there’s a Facebook setting that allows friends of friends to see stuff, but it might be *their* setting rather than yours that’s checked.
Yeah, a Suburban is a pretty gigantic vehicle. Big enough for someone to hide in the back seat without you seeing them, too. That could never happen in my tiny Corolla.
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Get My Signature on Your E-Books
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:08:50
good tips, Melissa and how horrible for your friends.
You’ve seen my new puppy, right? That was my main reason for getting her. A few months ago two men I didn’t know knocked on my door. they were harmless. he was the meter reader guy and saw some scrap metal in the yard and wanted to know if they could have it.
it couldn’t have been harmless. And my new puppy *hates* men.
A safe bolted to the floor is on my husband’s want list. my grandma had one for years in their old house. it was bolted to concrete. that baby wasn’t going anywhere!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:50:58
I love your new puppy, Keri!!! Like I said, we are working hard to train our new puppy that strangers are not part of the family! Bark dang it, bark! LOL I’ve even started barking myself when the doorbell rings to show her how it should be done. Oh, man. That sounds so sad! LOL
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:12:57
First, excellent topic. Great reminders all. I try to be aware of my surroundings and the people, but sometimes I do get distracted by the thoughts running in my head.
Second – Keri – new puppy???
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:53:49
Thank you, Cyndi! Those thoughts distract me too.
Especially when I’m driving, which is really kind of scary. LOL
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:44:14
Great advice, Melissa. I took a self-defense class here a few months ago, and it was great. Not just the physical stuff, but all the awareness/prevention tips too.
A great read for trusting your instincts, and what to look for is The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker. I think every woman should read this book. It covers a lot of the material I got in the self-defense class.
Gwen Hernandez recently posted..Lessons from my son
Jan 28, 2013 @ 20:55:13
Thanks for sharing the book, Gwen. I will definitely check it out!
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Time to Change the Channel
Jan 29, 2013 @ 08:37:52
Melissa, you Texas girls are so smart! I’m sorry for this poor mom and her daughter, but they are so, so lucky! Your advice is spot on. There’s a time and a place for our cell phones; you nailed it. I’m friends with a deputy coroner, and she also mentioned if you’re out walking, wear identification. Sad, but there it is. Always be vigilant.
Donnell recently posted..Library & Bookclub Questions
Jan 29, 2013 @ 09:44:33
I live in what I like to feel is a safe smallish town and neighborhood, so I tend to get slack about things myself. Thanks for the reminder. I do try to be alert when I am in parking lots, etc.
Just in the last couple weeks a good friend of mine said she noticed a guy was watching her as she loaded her groceries in her car. He started moving toward her, and she faced him, put her purse on her arm and her keys between her fingers and took a defensive stance. (She’s a large lady and has bad arthritis in her knees and would not have been able to chase him down, or get in her car quickly.) He raised his hands and said something like “Everything’s cool.” and walked away. He was clearly looking for an easy target and decided she’d put up a fight he didn’t want. Being alert saved her!