Pulling into a gas station, especially at night, can trigger a subtle sense of unease. These locations are crossroads for all kinds of people, and their transient nature can unfortunately make them hotspots for crime. Most of the time, your visit will be completely uneventful. However, a few moments of distraction are all a criminal needs to make you a target.
Staying safe is about being proactive, not paranoid. By incorporating a few simple habits into your refueling routine, you can significantly reduce your risk. Here are eight gas station safety tips that everyone should know and practice.
1. Choose Your Pump Wisely
Not all pumps are created equal when it comes to safety. Whenever possible, choose a pump that is in a well-lit area, close to the main building and directly in the line of sight of the attendant’s booth. Avoid isolated pumps at the edge of the lot, especially those obscured by walls or large vehicles.
Visibility is your best defense. The more visible you are, the less attractive you become as a target for someone looking for an easy opportunity.
2. Stay Off Your Phone and Stay Alert
Pumping gas feels like dead time, making it tempting to scroll through your phone or make a call. This is a critical mistake. Being engrossed in your phone makes you completely unaware of your surroundings and signals to a potential thief that you are an easy, distracted target.
Put your phone away. Instead, use this time to scan the area. Look at the people and cars around you. Make brief eye contact with others. This simple act of awareness is a powerful deterrent.
3. Always Lock Your Car Doors
Even if you are standing right next to your car, lock the doors the moment you get out. It only takes a second for an opportunist to open an unlocked passenger door and grab a purse, wallet, or phone from the seat. This is a common crime known as “sliding.”
Before you start pumping, make sure all your doors are locked. This simple habit protects your valuables and prevents someone from hiding in your car while you are preoccupied.
4. Keep Your Windows Rolled Up
In addition to locking your doors, keep your windows closed. An open window is another easy access point for a thief to quickly reach in and snatch belongings from your seats or dashboard.
This is especially important if you have children in the car. Keeping the windows and doors secured protects them while your attention is focused on the pump.
5. Pay at the Pump and Check for Skimmers
Paying at the pump is generally safer than leaving your car to go inside. Before you insert your card, give the card reader a quick inspection. Jiggle it to see if it feels loose. Look for any unusual parts, mismatched colors, or obvious signs of tampering.
Card skimmers are devices illegally installed to steal your card information. If anything looks suspicious, do not use that pump. Pay inside or go to a different gas station and report it to the attendant.
6. Don’t Get Lured Away From Your Vehicle
Be wary of anyone who tries to distract you or lure you away from your car. A common tactic involves one person asking for directions or trying to sell you something, while their accomplice steals from your vehicle on the other side.
If a stranger approaches you, stay aware of your car and its surroundings. A polite but firm “No, thank you” while keeping your distance is appropriate. Do not let yourself become engrossed in a conversation with a stranger.
7. Have Your Payment Ready
Avoid fumbling through your purse or wallet at the pump. Have your credit card or cash in hand before you get out of the car. This minimizes the time you spend looking distracted and vulnerable.
The less time you spend with your wallet out in the open, the better. It makes the transaction quicker and reduces the chance of someone seeing where you keep your money.
8. If a Situation Feels Wrong, Leave Immediately
This is the most important rule of all. Trust your intuition. If someone is lingering near your car, or if the general atmosphere of the gas station feels unsafe, do not ignore that feeling. It is perfectly acceptable to stop pumping, get back in your car, and drive away.
You can always find another gas station. Your safety is worth more than a few dollars of gas. Never let politeness or embarrassment override your internal alarm system.
Making Awareness a Habit
Gas station safety isn’t about complex strategies; it’s about consistent awareness. By making these small actions a regular part of your routine, you turn a potentially vulnerable moment into a controlled and secure one. Think of it as defensive driving, but for when you’re outside the car. A little bit of caution goes a long way in ensuring every stop for gas is a safe one.
What other safety tips do you follow at the gas station? Share your advice in the comments below.
What to Read Next…
- Gas Station Card Skimmers Are Getting Smarter — What Happens If You Ignore the Signs
- 9 Ways to Save Money on Gas (That Actually Work)
- The Dangerous New Trick Criminals Are Using at Gas Stations
- Stop Making These 7 Dangerous Mistakes at Gas Stations—Your Safety Depends on It!
- 11 Safety Myths Women Should Stop Believing Right Now
The post 8 Gas Station Safety Tips You’ll Be Glad You Knew appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
