How to Park Safely in Your Garage

Take it slow and pay attention to your surroundings when parking in a garage.

While it's not as perilous as the often dreaded act of parallel parking, perpendicular parking --- the kind you'll be doing in a garage --- presents its own set of safety considerations. Whether you're parking in a personal garage or a shared compound such as an apartment complex, always keep the safety of yourself, others, your car and your belongings in check.

Things You'll Need

• Tennis ball
• String
• An assistant
• Ladder
• Staple gun
• Long nail
• Scissors
• Roll of tape

Instructions

1. Slow down as you approach the garage and activate the turn signal to indicate the direction in which you are turning.

2. Turn the wheel sharply toward the garage, or the parking space within the garage, when your shoulder lines up with the beginning of the garage door or the first painted line of your parking space.

3. Open the garage door with a garage door opener or put the car in park and open the door manually, if applicable.

4. Proceed slowly into the garage or space. Leave at least 1 foot of space on either side of the garage walls. As the hood approaches the center of the garage, straighten the car's tires. Keep them straight until the car has fully entered the garage or the garage's parking space. Use the rearview mirror to make sure the car's rear bumper is completely inside the garage or space.

5. Roll up the windows, put the vehicle in "Park" and turn off the ignition. Carefully open the driver's side door, especially if you have a cramped garage or a neighbor parked beside you.

6. Hide valuables that are visible in the vehicle's interior, especially if you're parking in an apartment garage. Conceal items such as MP3 players, bags and GPS devices. It's best to take your purse or wallet inside with you. Exit the vehicle, make sure you have your keys in hand and lock the door behind you.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your assistant to help steady the ladder for you.

• If standing on the ladder is uncomfortable, you may have to step onto the hood of the car. Be careful and ask your assistant for support.

References

• Driver's Ed Guru: Become a Parking Expert
• Offensive Parking; How to Perpendicular Park; April 2009
• Apartment Ratings; Parking and Car Safety Tips...; Rachel Weiner; August 2010
• Home Security Information: Personal Safety -- How to Be Smart When You Park
• Driving Tips: Perpendicular Parking Is Made Simple...

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Apartment Ratings; How to Tell If an Apartment Building's Parking Garage...; November 2010
• Smart Motorist: Safe Parking Tips