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| Being loaded down with too many packages leaves you
vulnerable to crime during the Holiday Season. |
Holiday shopping has long been underway. Some are already feeling the
mad rush and an urgency to get in on the sales. Then, there are others, like
myself, who are really looking forward to taking advantage of the sales that
will come after Christmas Day. This is the season of
shopping! However, not meaning to promote fear or paranoia, it is
also the season of higher petty crimes. Unfortunately, Holiday
shoppers are prime candidates to be victimized. You can avoid being a
victim by planning ahead. So, in the last few days before the Holiday
is upon us, whether out shopping or just out and about, here are some tips that
will help to keep you safe.
Safety Tips:
1. Get
an early start. Traffic will tend to be quite dense. Stores
open as early as 6:00 A. M. to 10:00 A. M. Some stores will remain open 24
hours. Leaving out early will help you get a relaxed start with more time
to shop. Drive safe; don’t rush on the road.
2. Shop
during the day, whenever possible. If you find that you cannot avoid
shopping at night, be sure to take a buddy with you.
3. Park
in a well lit area and as close to the store as possible. If a parking
valet service is offered, this is a great time to take advantage of
it. An example of valet parking service for shoppers is at
Riverchase Galleria, a mall in Hoover, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham.
4.
If your children are shopping with you, keep them in view at all
times. Don’t use toy stores, toy departments, toy aisles, or game
arcades as a babysitter. The reality is predators may be looking for
unattended children to prey upon. Don’t take the risk.
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| Keep a close eye on your children. Don't risk leaving them alone. |
5. Provide
teen children, who are more independent, with a cell phone so that you can keep
in contact with them while you are shopping in different areas of a store or
mall. Check in, intermittently, to make sure they are
safe. Arrange in advance to meet them back at a designated place at an
agreed upon time.
6. Ladies,
take a purse that has a long strap and can be put over your head and across
your body. This leaves your hands free to better carry packages and
keeps your purse safe. Guys, it is suggested you find another place
to carry your wallet instead of your back pocket. Discourage pick-pockets
and purse snatchers. They do exist and this kind of crime is on the
rise during the holiday season.
7. Avoid
wearing expensive and excessive jewelry. This makes you vulnerable
and attractive to thieves as a target.
8. Be
wary of strangers who approach you and ask for donations or for any other
reason. To avoid guilt feelings give at the office, church, or
community charities early in the season. It is the season of giving and
caring, but choose to do it in a safe environment. Taking out your
wallet and flashing cash can make you vulnerable to
crime.
9. Be
cautious when using your cell phone. Cell phones are being snatched
from user’s ears as they walk aimlessly along. Be observant of your
surroundings while using your cell phone. During this season when
thievery is taking place in some of the most unusual ways, cell phones are best
used in a safe environment.
Be cautious while using a
cell phone when out shopping. Cell phones are prize targets for thieves.
Keep your
eyes on your packages.
10. Don’t
load yourself down with packages; it makes it difficult for you to carry
them. You are more likely to drop things or put them
down. If you take a seat to rest, place your packages in your
view. When packages leave your hands they are vulnerable to
thievery. You are also more likely to leave something behind.
11. Before
you leave the store or mall to return to your car check to see if you have all
of your belongings. Take your car keys out before going
outside. Have them ready to open your car door,
quickly. Put packages in your car and lock your
door. Forgo placing and arranging packages in your trunk,
which makes you vulnerable, unless absolutely necessary.
12. Cash
Alerts: Avoid ATMs for cash and make transactions inside the bank during the
Holiday Season. If you must use the ATM, make sure you are in a well
lit and safe area, observe those around you, and/or conduct the transaction at
a drive-up machine which allows you to stay in your car. Be cautious
of counterfeit bills, usually distributed in forms of 20 dollar bills or 100
dollar bills. They are hard to detect, so examine cash carefully when
receiving cash from transactions.
13.
Do not leave packages or any other item visible in your car. Thieves
are attracted to items visible on car seats or floor of the car, regardless of
the size or value of an item. Thieves will break the windows of
unattended vehicles to steal the smallest of items. Don’t risk
it! Place items that you are not planning to take with you when you
leave your car to shop, in the trunk of your car before you arrive at your
shopping destination, or leave the items at home. If you place
packages in the trunk of your car while shopping and need to continue shopping,
move to another parking space. Thieves may have been watching and
will break into your car when you walk away.
14. Shop online and take advantage of the competitive internet prices and
discounts. Use codes and the printable coupons offered to get price
breaks. Some or all of your shopping done from your computer, at home,
will keep you out of the hustle and bustle.
Shopping with a buddy can be fun and much more safe.
Again,
planning and being aware of safety is not paranoia, just plain common
sense, especially during the holiday season. Let us remember, to
keep our season festive and filled with peace and goodwill, we should all
practice safety.
Copyright, Holiday Season Shopping
Safety Tips, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, November
16, 2012. All rights reserved.
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