The 9-to-5 (and Beyond): How to Navigate Dark Parking Garages with Confidence

We have all been there: you stayed late at the office, or your shift at the hospital finally ended, and now you have to make the long, echoing walk to your car in a dimly lit parking garage.

Parking garages are notorious for feeling unsafe, but a few simple protocol changes can drastically reduce your risk:

• Keys in Hand, Not in the Bag: The worst place to be vulnerable is standing next to your car door, digging through a messy tote bag for your keys. Have your keys in your hand before you even exit the elevator.

• The Perimeter Check: As you approach your car, do a visual sweep. Check under the car from a distance, and always look into the backseat before opening the door.

• Immediate Lock-Down: The second you sit in the driver’s seat, lock the doors. Do not sit there checking Instagram or adjusting the radio with the doors unlocked.

• The Right Tool for Tight Spaces: Garages are echoey and enclosed. The loud, crackling sound of a GuardUp Rhinestone Stun Gun being test-fired is often enough to send a predator running before they even get close. Keep it attached to your car keys so it is literally in the palm of your hand when you need it most.