‘Tis the season for phenomenal deals and shopping! Time is flying and the countdown is beginning for the most wonderful time of year: the holidays. Holiday season is the opportunity to hit hard-to-beat deals both in-store and online. Shower your loved ones with heartfelt gifts you spent hours looking for. The long lines, packed parking lots, and crowded venues are all worth it when it’s time to open gifts and faces light up with delight.
Although this time of year is supposed to be filled with endless love and joy, some have other intentions. Shopping may not seem dangerous, but there are those who prey on holiday shoppers and wait until they are alone and vulnerable to attack. Car break-ins, theft, and assault are common criminal activities that put dampers on the holiday season and mood. Do not become a target for such activities. Be prepared to defend yourself when needed.
11 Tips for Holiday Shopping Safety
Shop with a partner or friend
Shopping alone may seem therapeutic to some, but having a friend or family member along is good because there is strength in numbers. Attackers know when you are alone and notice your vulnerability. Always shop in numbers so you are not a target to criminals looking to pounce on lone shoppers. Don’t make yourself an easy target, call a friend to tag along. Chances are they still have holiday shopping to do too.
Park in well-lit areas
Park near the entrance of stores and malls, in well-lit areas, and near security cameras. Avoid parking far out on the lot, especially if you are planning to do a lot of shopping. Parking near light or shopping during the day are safety advantages – most criminals strike in dim and dark places to avoid detection. Additionally, spot security cameras in parking garages and find a stall near them. If anything happens to you or your car, it will hopefully be on tape.
Hide shopping bags in your trunk
Holiday shopping is often more than one or two shopping bags. You will often leave a place with more bags than an octopus could handle! When you are not done shopping but have gifts and other valuables in your car, place them in the trunk. Removing these items from plain site in the front or back seat and away from your windows ensures no one spies your items. They are safely secured in the trunk.
Be aware of your surroundings
There is no doubt about how crowded malls and stores get. Always be aware of your surroundings. Do not walk with earphones in and music blasting. Keep your head up while walking and don’t be looking down at your phone. Use your five senses to guide you and be wary about who is nearby. If you notice someone following you, contact security, a sales associate, fold in with other groups of people, or call for help.
Keep an eye on the kids
With hundreds of thousands of people on the same mission – shopping holiday deals – it is more important than ever to always have an eye on your children. Often they run out of sight and the last thing you need is someone swiping them up. Notice where children are and what they are doing. When in doubt, babysitters can work out perfectly too.
Avoid buying second-hand items
The true condition of second-hand items like toys are deceiving when trying to determine if they are clean, unbroken, and reliable. New and immaculate condition is best, of course. Broken pieces and product deficiency are hard to spot when purchasing second-hand items. Not only is it a safety hazard for kids, but it is a waste of money since you are buying a defective product without knowing it. You do not want an unsafe toy capable of hurting your child, so avoid this mess by avoiding second-hand purchases.
Shop at trusted stores and websites
Don’t get scammed this holiday season. There are many knockoff websites, stores, and products online from companies simply looking to make a buck. Shop at places you recognize and conduct careful searches for reviews and credibility of new websites you come across. A quick Google search provides you with business information, background, and product reviews.
Avoid public wifi
Public wifi connections seem like “free wifi,” but the sad reality is nothing in life is free. Your information and access to your technology are traded when you connect to public wifi. Use a virtual private network (VPN) on your devices. VPNs create a private network from a public connection allowing you and your information to stay secure while searching the web.
Protect yourself
Women are easier targets for crime than men. Protect yourself by keeping your purse closed and close to your body. Carry pepper spray, a taser, or even a pocket knife. It will come in handy when you need it most. Be confident in your ability to protect yourself, especially when your life depends on it. Flight or fight is preferable to being abducted. Always remember: money, goods, or cars can be replaced. You cannot.
Look in your car, get in, lock the doors, buckle up, and go!
After shopping always look at the vehicles and people around your car before unlocking it. Always look inside your car before opening the door, especially in the back seat. Do not wait around in your car after getting in. Lock the doors, buckle up, and leave because you never know who is watching you, waiting to pounce. It is a habit for most to get in their cars, start them up, and sit there checking their phones. Put the phone down and wait until you get home to unwind and scroll through social media.
Drive safely, arrive alive
There are many people on the roadways during the holiday shopping season. Traffic, road rage, and car accidents happen much too often at this time of year. Although we can be impatient at times, pay attention to the road, drive safely, yield the right of way to clearly overly aggressive drivers, and arrive alive. Traveling safely from point A to point B should not be taken for granted.
Holiday Shopping Safety: Stay Protected
Whether you are shopping in-store, online, or both, safety is our number one concern. Remember, bad things still happen to good people, even during the holidays. So, prepare for the worst and expect the best. Protect yourself from predators and criminal activity by following our holiday shopping safety tips. It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the best time to practice safe shopping.
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A free case evaluation is waiting for you! Visit our website www.paulpowell.com or call (702) 728-5500 to get started. The Paul Powell Law Firm- More Lawyer, Less Fee.