Holiday shopping and safety tips
While the holidays can be a joyous time for adults and children alike, they may also bring a smile to the face of criminals. That’s because amid the excitement and confusion of holiday shopping and travel, many people leave themselves susceptible to theft. Willing thieves are waiting in the wings to lighten your holiday shopping load.
To ensure the holidays will be as happy as possible and not spoiled by criminals lurking in the shadows, consider these safety and comfort tips.
Be Alert and Confident
Distraction and the element of surprise are key tactics in any theft scheme. Pickpockets’ favorite places for action are on crowded lines, in elevators, on escalators, and when going through revolving doors.
Always be aware of your environment and those around you. Do not shop while talking on a cell phone or while listening to your MP3 player. Keep your eyes and ears open and project a confident and alert posture.
Play It Safe
There is safety in numbers, so heading to the shopping center with a group of friends or family and sticking together makes you less of a target. If shopping after dark, always park your car as close to the entry of the store as possible and find a spot that is under a light so the car will be visible and illuminated.
If you are bogged down by tons of packages you may not be able to react in the event of a theft. Therefore, space out shopping and deposit your purchases in your car periodically to keep your hands free as much as possible. Remember to keep gifts in the car out of view, so a trunk is the best place for storage.
Never flash your money conspicuously and keep your wallet or pocketbook close to your body at all times. If you’re paying with cash primarily (keep in mind credit and debit cards are safer), it is wise to spread out the money in different pockets or locations on your person. This way if you are robbed, you won’t be lifted of all of your cash. Always protect your credit and debit cards as well, and be aware of those around you when making withdrawals from ATM machines.
Dress Comfortably
Ensure your shopping excursion is as enjoyable as you can make it by dressing in comfortable clothing and shoes. Realize that it may be warm in crowded malls, so wear layers so that you can peel off an outer jacket or sweatshirt if you get warm. Large winter coats can be bulky and cumbersome to carry, so consider leaving them in the car or checking them in if the store offers a coat check.
You’ll be on your feet as you traverse the stores, so comfortable shoes are an absolute must. A shopping trip can be cut considerably short if the person doing the shopping is wearing the wrong shoes.
Safeguard Children
In busy stores it is easy for a child to become separated from a parent. Teach your children to go to a store clerk or security guard if they ever get separated from you in a store, and be sure they know their first and last name so they can tell someone who they are.
| 
