If Unsolved Mysteries has taught us anything........

[sdb4884]

Rest stops are deadly.


Add your own.......

[scc1222]

agreed,as well as phone booths after dark.

[1990 UM fan]

Here's something I picked up from an Unsolved Mysteries video:

1) Never pick up a hitchhiker, especially a male

2) Never stay or even stop at rest stops

3) Never use a payphone

4) Never use a ATM at night or any that doesn't have a card activated door

5) Never stop when a man waves to you suggesting your car is in trouble

6) Never follow a gunman to a backroom

7) And finally, if you hear UM music playing in the background and you can visualize Robert Stack making a story about you, leave that situation ASAP!



I can agree with all of the above :eek:

[Necco]

Always give a scruffy guy a sandwich.

Ignore all mail with weird block printing.

Never go on a logging road.

[TheCars1986]

Stay away from Spokane, Washington.

[1990 UM fan]

Stay away from Spokane, Washington.

More like stay away from Scottsdale, Arizona...criminals take refuge there all the time and some UM criminals featured fled to there.

[Steve W.]

.....it has taught us that eyewitnesses are not reliable at all.

Also, if someone pulls a gun on you, you are probably better off trying to make a run for it instead of just giving in to their demands because they're planning on killing you anyway.

[RobinW]

Never entrust your money or valuables to anyone from Medford, Oregon.

[flytrapp]

...it has taught us that life before "cell phones" was pretty dangerous.

Also, never underestimate anyone, no matter how unassuming they may be. (Example: Bonnie Wilder)

[welshman]

Although you should never do it but if you decide to commit suicide leave a note in your own handwriting and do it in front of a security camera so your loved ones won't spend the next twenty years searching for a killer and recreating your death.

[WishfulDreamer]

Verify the background and character of a person you wish to purchase items from or sell items to. Meet in a very public area, at the very least, when committing any transactions!

Don't stand on a front stoop or sit in a car talking late at night.

Verify who sent you a package before you open it.

If you're going to lend something to a neighbor, it's probably best to keep the door chain on and slip it through if you're alone unless you know the person well.

Never trust road maps as a sign that someone asking you for directions is lost.

If you're alone with an individual and absolutely no one is around and they seem to be getting violent during an argument, placate them as much as possible to get out of there safely.

NEVER keep a spare key under the welcome mat, potted plants, etc. And if you do and undergo a breakup or falling out, move the key's location IMMEDIATELY.

Don't walk in a wooded area alone (this one saddens me, as I love wooded areas, but it's plain unsafe).

If you hear a noise in your house and call out, but no one answers, RUN. Get out of the house immediately!

If you're a child or an adult and somebody you think you can trust is asking you inappropriate sexual questions, don't go to their house and don't trust their seemingly kind girlfriend or friends.

Never sleep on the couch of a friend who is going through a violent divorce.

Don't get involved in marital disputes that seem violent, and keep on your guard at all times if you've enraged the violent party. Taking a hammer to work is not enough, tell the police and keep with other people.

If you've been harassed and someone is leering at you, don't bother getting out of the car to go turn off your computer at work. Immediately go home or to the police station.

If your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend isn't taking the breakup well, be very cautious and keep the doors and windows securely locked, whether at home or your new boy/girlfriend's home.

Don't take long roadtrips alone! If you must, bring mace, don't stop at creepy rest stops, and stay on your guard!

Do not hitchhike or pick up a hitcher.

If a stranger tells you your car is smoking and you don't see any damage yourself, don't stop the car and get off at the next populated exit.

Keep your guard up in the laundry room, day or night.

Don't ride ATVs in the backwoods near an angry resident.

Don't board a ship with someone you've just met, even if it seems like a great opportunity.

Call the police immediately if you hear any sort of screaming, especially prolonged cries of agony. I don't care if you don't want to get involved or you're scared, someone could be in dire need!

If you lose your wallet and your newly met date wants it returned to him if found, tell him and the establishment where you lost it that it can only be returned to you and do not divulge your address. If he already knows your address, don't let him in.

Don't work the graveyard shift alone unless you work in a store with the bullet proof glass.

Don't hit the alarm button in front of the robber.

If staying alone in a foreign country, don't be too trusting. Be careful!

If you see a truck aggressively following an individual on a bicycle, don't just watch idly. Call 911!

Approach the man you think may be your long-lost brother and question him, especially if you're in a public area.

If you can't find an address while delivering, go back to the store! It could be a set up for a robbery or kidnapping. Don't enter a customer's home ever.

If a motorcycle gang is traveling through or known to be in the area, stay away and stay with another person. If they pursue you, ride immediately to the police station even if they have chains. If they offer you a ride, decline.

[1990 UM fan]

Verify the background and character of a person you wish to purchase items from or sell items to. Meet in a very public area, at the very least, when committing any transactions!

Don't stand on a front stoop or sit in a car talking late at night.

Verify who sent you a package before you open it.

If you're going to lend something to a neighbor, it's probably best to keep the door chain on and slip it through if you're alone unless you know the person well.

Never trust road maps as a sign that someone asking you for directions is lost.

If you're alone with an individual and absolutely no one is around and they seem to be getting violent during an argument, placate them as much as possible to get out of there safely.

NEVER keep a spare key under the welcome mat, potted plants, etc. And if you do and undergo a breakup or falling out, move the key's location IMMEDIATELY.

Don't walk in a wooded area alone (this one saddens me, as I love wooded areas, but it's plain unsafe).

If you hear a noise in your house and call out, but no one answers, RUN. Get out of the house immediately!

If you're a child or an adult and somebody you think you can trust is asking you inappropriate sexual questions, don't go to their house and don't trust their seemingly kind girlfriend or friends.

Never sleep on the couch of a friend who is going through a violent divorce.

Don't get involved in marital disputes that seem violent, and keep on your guard at all times if you've enraged the violent party. Taking a hammer to work is not enough, tell the police and keep with other people.

If you've been harassed and someone is leering at you, don't bother getting out of the car to go turn off your computer at work. Immediately go home or to the police station.

If your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend isn't taking the breakup well, be very cautious and keep the doors and windows securely locked, whether at home or your new boy/girlfriend's home.

Don't take long roadtrips alone! If you must, bring mace, don't stop at creepy rest stops, and stay on your guard!

Do not hitchhike or pick up a hitcher.

If a stranger tells you your car is smoking and you don't see any damage yourself, don't stop the car and get off at the next populated exit.

Keep your guard up in the laundry room, day or night.

Don't ride ATVs in the backwoods near an angry resident.

Don't board a ship with someone you've just met, even if it seems like a great opportunity.

Call the police immediately if you hear any sort of screaming, especially prolonged cries of agony. I don't care if you don't want to get involved or you're scared, someone could be in dire need!

If you lose your wallet and your newly met date wants it returned to him if found, tell him and the establishment where you lost it that it can only be returned to you and do not divulge your address. If he already knows your address, don't let him in.

Don't work the graveyard shift alone unless you work in a store with the bullet proof glass.

Don't hit the alarm button in front of the robber.

If staying alone in a foreign country, don't be too trusting. Be careful!

If you see a truck aggressively following an individual on a bicycle, don't just watch idly. Call 911!

Approach the man you think may be your long-lost brother and question him, especially if you're in a public area.

If you can't find an address while delivering, go back to the store! It could be a set up for a robbery or kidnapping. Don't enter a customer's home ever.

If a motorcycle gang is traveling through or known to be in the area, stay away and stay with another person. If they pursue you, ride immediately to the police station even if they have chains. If they offer you a ride, decline.

Wow, what a load to read. I've spent awhiles trying to figure out which cases they came from too. :)

[SheRaaa]

If the son of your middle-aged redneck boyfriend leaves the water faucet on, do NOT start a huge argument about it.

[WishfulDreamer]

Wow, what a load to read. I've spent awhiles trying to figure out which cases they came from too. :)
:) It just kept growing as more came to mind. I guess it helps that I was procrastinating from something else.

[FarinaforBrkfast]

1990 UM FAN:

7) And finally, if you hear UM music playing in the background and you can visualize Robert Stack making a story about you, leave that situation ASAP!

This is brilliant!!!

[dynoguy88]

Always lock your car and make sure nobody is hiding in your backseat before you enter your car.

That Gretchen Burford segment will always haunt me.

[sdb4884]

Try and find as much information about someone before you let them move in eg: Hank Queen/Dennis Depue.

[TheCars1986]

If someone is playing a deadly cat and mouse game with you on the highway, drive directly to the police station, do not get out and tell them to get the blankety blank out of there.

[Steve W.]

Try and find as much information about someone before you let them move in eg: Hank Queen/Dennis Depue.

add "Dave Freeman" to that (Tim Good did not benefit from it)

[chacha6581]

If a psychic wants me to bring large amounts of money to get a curse off of me, and then throw the money tied to a brick in a river, I should bring Monopoly money.
Never trust anyone in a megadeath t-shirt.
Avoid convenience stores, Atm's, phone booths, and rest stops at night.

[SheRaaa]

Avoid convenience stores, Atm's, phone booths, and rest stops at night.

I had to stop at a rest area in broad daylight today and was freaked-out due to UM:crazy:

[McBevis]

If a psychic wants me to bring large amounts of money to get a curse off of me, and then throw the money tied to a brick in a river, I should bring Monopoly money.
Never trust anyone in a megadeath t-shirt.
Avoid convenience stores, Atm's, phone booths, and rest stops at night.

Unless you're looking to kick your smoking habit. Then you probably SHOULD trust somebody in a Megadeth t-shirt.

Also, if you're giving chase and suddenly have to go in the complete opposite direction, put the transmission in reverse CAREFULLY, otherwise it could result in a mystery that drags on for years and years without being solved.

[McBevis]

Another big one that I'm surprised nobody else mentioned:

Never accept a government or military explanation of anything, because at least 9 times out of 10, they're the ones that have something to hide.

[mystery_daisy]

These are things I've learned from UM, and safety tips in general.

1. Be aware of your surroundings.

2. When it's late and you're tired, go home!

3. Keep your car in running order-checking the tires and the fluids often. If the car breaks down in a secluded area without a cell phone, especially in an unfamiliar area, it could be dangerous.

4. Never leave your drink unattended

5. get a magnetic box and keep an extra key to your car in it.

6. Take self defense classes.

7. Work on personal organisation, make lists, keep everything in a certain place so that you present yourself as a together person and not vulnerable to attack.
This includes, having your keys in your hand before walk to your car or your home, locking the door behind you once you get in, hiding your money in a money belt on your person and not going to ATMs alone at night. Common sense is very important, but you don't have to be paranoid! :)

[mystery_daisy]

I forgot one!

...

8. When you're walking or running at night, wear a whistle around your neck!!

[WishfulDreamer]

Take self-defense classes, particularly for ladies. While assailants often used weapons to overpower victims, other times it was strength. I'm tall, but really tiny and my arms look like sticks. I should really take up this rule!

[sdb4884]

add "Dave Freeman" to that (Tim Good did not benefit from it)

That's right, also that Korean lady who let that con team (unbeknownst to her) take residence in her house.

[Necco]

Protein shakes and homemade snacks should only be accepted from family, friends and co-workers with extreme caution.

[TheCars1986]

I forgot one!

...

8. When you're walking or running at night, wear a whistle around your neck!!

I'd rather carry a can of mace.

[Steve W.]

I went to an ATM at 2AM a few nights ago. Granted, it wasn't downtown Los Angeles and I knew it was a pretty safe part of the city I live in, but I tried to mimic the UM theme on the way there to make it scarier (there were some bushes nearby if someone wanted to hide and confront me). I guess I still have some learnin' to do.

[amandab1234]

Rest stops are deadly.


Add your own.......

If you are in driving in Chicago late one night and you find a woman in a flowing white gown walking on the side of the road.... think twice about offering her a ride...:eek:

[Clockworkhigh]

Quite frankly, I haven't learned anything at all. I'm 6'2" 275lbs. and to be honest I haven't been scared to walk down the street at night in years, since a teenager maybe. I used to walk home from my friends house at night while cutting across a schoolyard as a teen. I guess I figure I am my own security being that size and a thief will bypass me and find an easier target.

I also gamble when I travel by waiting at the last minute to pump some gas into my truck. In the summer months I fall asleep on my couch with the front door open and unlocked without any fear. Not to mention I have stopped for people who needed help on the side of the road. But NEVER with my wife and son, just if I am alone.

I use an ATM whenever I want too without thinking about it much. I once enraged an older ex-boyfriend of a girl I was seeing just because I was with his former girlfriend. He sat outside in his truck with it idling waiting for me to leave the house and when I did get into my vehicle and drive off he followed me for 10 minutes until I was somehow able to go through a borderline red light that he had to stop for. True story. It turns out I later found out that he was not only extremely livid but he had things in his pick up truck that would have killed me if he went that route. Stuff like an axe, a baseball bat that he had in there for other purposes. If I was Dick Hansen and stopped my car and got out to confront him instead of realizing the situation and knowing what an unstable person can do out of road rage then who knows what could have happened to me. I was just 20. He was 35.

Come to think of it I should really be on the show by now. I never get paranoid. One thing I don't bother doing on trips is stopping at a rest stop. Why bother? There are truck stops that are heavily populated all over the place, restaurants, gas stations, etc. Why risk being in a secluded area for no reason?

[UMFaninMD]

1. If a woman runs up to you and tells you blandly "that man has my son," calmly ask her if she poisoned her husband's protein shake.

2. Devil worship was the #1 cause for teenage deaths in the 80's.

3. If you hear someone screaming bloody murder in the middle of the night, CALL THE COPS!

4. UFO's can both make you sick as well as heal you.

5. If you're dating someone and more than one of your family members urges you to end the relationship, you probably should.

6. Truck stops are super-creepy and are a haven for people with amnesia.