What do you do while you’re pumping gas at the gas station?
Probably not a question you really think about.
Most people do one of a few things after they put the gas nozzle in to fill up:
- Get back in their vehicle and scroll through their phone
- Lean back on their car next to the gas nozzle and scroll through their phone
- Stand at the pump and watch the numbers climb higher and higher
What DON’T most people do while pumping gas?
They don’t pay attention to their surroundings.
Watch what others do the next time you pump gas.
And you will be watching because you’re going to get some tips to keep you safe.
First, before you even turn the engine off to get out, look around the gas station.
- Is there anybody that looks ‘shady’ hanging around?
- Any dark places close by to where you are parked where someone could hide?
If the answer is YES, put it in DRIVE and find another gas station. Better safe than sorry.
So let’s say everything looks good so far.
Second, only unlock your door to get out. DO NOT unlock all the doors. You’d just be inviting someone to get in on the passenger side when you start to leave.
Third, once you’ve got the gas nozzle in, slowly circle your vehicle. Stay about 6 feet away from your car. Pause at each corner. When you pause, look around in every direction for any threats. Then move to the next corner.
Once you’ve gone all the way around, move to a place behind your vehicle where you can keep an eye on everything. Still scanning 360 degrees (but doing it nonchalantly).
This may seem like overkill.
And maybe it is.
But if you talk to anyone who has been a thief, you hear a common phrase:
“The person wasn’t paying attention so I took my chance.”
You don’t want to invite a bad person to take advantage of you. By keeping watch, you let others know that you are not an easy target.
Make no mistake about it.
There ARE bad actors out there looking to rob, cheat, and steal.
That’s why one thing we keep in easy reach in all our family’s vehicles is Pepper Gel.
The last couple days, I’ve talked about keeping pepper spray on me. But I like redundancy, and my family may not have it on their person like I do.
So we each have SABRE Crossfire Pepper Gel clipped to that pocket at the bottom of the driver’s side door. In most people’s cars, that pocket becomes a catch-all for trash or extra napkins left over from fast-food runs.
But it makes the perfect place for the Pepper Gel canister. I like the SABRE Crossfire Pepper Gel because it can spray further than pepper spray. And you can spray it even upside down.
Plus, if you ever have to spray it through an open window when you are in your car and the attacker is outside, there’s less blowback so you don’t get accidentally sprayed yourself.
It’s too cumbersome to keep in your pocket, but it’s the perfect size for the car. Even better is it lasts for 4 years before you need to replace it.
This is why I recommend you put a SABRE Crossfire Pepper Gel in every one of your vehicles.
It’ll make you more confident when you stop to fill up.
Be Safe, Have Fun,
Darren Bayne
