Everyday Safety Tips

[jpruitt]

Not necessarily gun-related, what are some good tips on staying safe in everyday life. Good habits to get into, little things that don't take much effort.

I'll start with a few:

-If you've got one of those peepholes in your front door, use it before you go outside. It just takes a second to see if someone who intends to do you harm is waiting out there.

-Before you get into your car, look inside to make sure no one is hiding in there.

-When parking, before you get out of the car, look around the parking lot and make sure it's safe (how many times do we just automatically open the door as soon as we turn off the car).

Let's have some more.

 

[Rokyudai]

I think credit should go to another THR member for this. I can't recall who though:
As a parallel plan which would likely include arming yourself....

Keep a charged cell phone and your car keys w/ alarm remote on or near your night stand. If you have someone breaking in, you can set off the car alarm to try and get the attention of the neighborhood.

 

[jordan1948]

They tell women to do this but I think it's a good idea for everyone, always try to park in a well lit up area when going somewhere at night. Another thing is if you're not in a big rush try to find a parking place near a security camera, we've get a lot of cars broken into here around the holidays and a security camera won't stop them but might help catch the BG.

 

[Darth Muffin]

Back in or "pull through" when parking. If there are some shady characters tailing you in the parking lot (even unknown to you) the quicker departure time may make all the difference.

And statistically, most fender benders are caused when backing up. By backing in you are greatly reducing that risk since you're not backing into traffic and you've also just had a good look at where you are backing in to (since you just drove past it). They teach the professional drivers at work this, it's all but required by the insurance company now.

 

[Treo]

Drink plenty of water

 

[Rokyudai]

^
Safe from dehydration. Good point. In sever cases, muscle cramps, confusion, and weakness can occur. None of which are good for keeping alert or aiming a firearm.

 

[Treo]

Got another one for you; Get your flu shot and make sure all you immunizations are up to date.

 

[ezypikns]

eat all your vegetables.

 

[Rokyudai]

Have your pet spayed or neutered?

Sorry

 

[LSU Fan]

-Stay off the cell phone/ipod when you're walking to and from your car and destination, especially at night.

-Keep your car doors locked at all times

 

[ZeSpectre]

This one is especially for the ladies, but really applies to everyone.

Never park next to the sliding door side of a van. It is frighteningly easy for an abductor to slide that door open, grab you from behind as you are entering your own vehicle, render you unconscious, drag you back into their van, swish and that door closes.

The van drives off and nobody saw anything (and the next time anybody sees you it's with a chalk line drawn around ya.

Closely related,
Never, EVER, NO MATTER WHAT, go with a badguy who wants to take you someplace. It's called the DEATH RIDE for a reason. You are far better off risking being shot in a parking lot than taken off to whatever secluded location the badguy has chosen.

Pay attention to your surroundings while at the gas pump. Money is tight and people are getting funny and gasoline is liquid gold not to mention all the money moving around at a gas station (usually with minimal/no security unlike say a bank).

 

[RIDE]

Never bring a knife to a gun fight

 

[19-3Ben]

Have your pet spayed or neutered?

Thanks for that. I actually laughed out loud.

I keep a disposable camera in the driver's side door, or the glove compartment. Never know when you might need to suddenly need to take pictures of a car crash, or license plates, or whatnot. For the $7 that it costs, they can really come in handy.

I think it's very smart to keep a survival kit in the trunk of the car. I keep one with the following:
50' length of rope (300LBS swing weight rated..enough to haul up two people out of a ditch or something if needed)
First aid kit.
A few of those little packets of honey they have in tea shops. Never know if someone is hypoglycemic.
CPR mask.
Compass with built in thermometer.
Road flares.
Snap lights.
Tube tent.
Poncho.
Flashlights with fresh batteries. (one of which is a head mounting light so I can have light and keep my hands free).
Machete.
Multi-tool.
Paracord.
A few Cliff Bars.
A few bottles of water.
That's all I can remember but i know I must be missing something.

EDIT: I did forget stuff. I forgot to mention fire starting material. I have waterproof matches, a few disposable lighters, a folded page of news print, and a fire starter.

 

[psyopspec]

When pulling up behind other cars at a stop light, keep enough distance to be able to pull the vehicle left or right if the need arises. In most cars, this can be done by ensuring that you can see the bumper and rear wheels of the vehicle in front of you. This will allow you to drive away if anyone threatening approaches the vehicle, or if something happens in front further down the road that stops traffic.

I unbuckle my seatbelt just before pulling into my destination. Makes for easier access to a holster on the waistband, no dwell time in the vehicle.

Agree with the survival kit. What goes in it depends, so do a search for "bug out bag" or "survival kit" if you need some ideas.

ETA: For concealed carry in a vehicle, keep the gun holstered. Needing to use a gun a vehicle may be preceded by a crash or hard braking. That J-Frame you had under the seat is now pinned under the dash...

 

[gnut]

Drive like there is a law enforcement officer in your passenger seat. One you are not friends with.

Amen on the water.

Never ever use the EVIL credit card as they are created by Satan.

Never assume anything.

Do not run out of fuel. Ughh.

Remember- you forgot something.

 

[545days]

Buy a new battery for your vehicle every two years. Don't buy a real expensive one. A discount battery should last two years, and the expensive one will eventually fail while your wife is alone... at night... in the rain... in a bad part of town...and forgot her cell phone...while you are on a business trip... etc.

A dead battery never comes at a good time, and you are better off buying the replacement at a time of your choosing, rather than subjecting yourself to the hands of fate.

 

[Treo]

Buy a battery booster to the new ones plug right into your lighter and provide enough juice to start the car if the battery does go out.

 

[danmoultrie]

"Never ever use the EVIL credit card as they are created by Satan. "
Wrong. Have some self control and pay the bill off every month. Always use the credit card at the pump at the gas station. NEVER go inside.
And +1 for preventative maintinence on cars and guns.

 

[george29]

If you find a deflated or punctured tire that was previously OK when you parked it at the mall, keep going to where there are people and lights and never accept the "kindness" of some stranger who "happens" to walk by. Even, and especially if he is with a female companion. Get help from the store or mall security.

 

[Birdhunter1]

George I would gladly listen to that advice except I am often the one who stops to lend that helping hand to someone who has a flat tire.

Best home defense system (when you are there) is a small dog. They don't eat alot, tend to be loyal and are usually very alert. My wife got a little 8 lbs. Brussel's Griffon that I don't think could hurt anyone as he's so small, but he sure is alert and lets you know what is going on outside. He has a vanatage point from the top of our couch to be able to see out three different windows, and he will often jump off barking and run to the window where he can see someone walking down the sidewalk. He has a tendency to know someone is outside long before I hear or see them.

 

[wep45]

Be sure to put on clean underwear before you have an accident.

 

[Dihappy]

Condition Yellow

 

[Big Matt]

RE: Post #21, typically those clean underwear aren't clean anymore once an accident has occurred.

 

[Big Matt]

Seriously though, I think one of the biggest things (as well as easiest) is the "pull through" parking style. My ex was notorious for never pulling through, especially when there was little to no cars in the lot.

Also, just pay attention. Look around, take notice of the people, other vehicles and their occupants, etc. And my personal number one is to pay special attention to that little voice in your head/stomach that says, "Something isn't right, something isn't right...." Those instincts were put there for a reason.

 

[AndyC]

Wear sunscreen - Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune