Playing It Safe While Shopping For The Holidays

By Author: Teresa Bernard
Total Articles: 15
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The winter holidays will soon be here and as usual they are a very busy season for everyone including criminals. Many are caught up in the particulars of their holiday preparations and shopping. Many shoppers are out and about running errands, carrying more money and packages than during other times of the year. Unfortunately criminals view the holiday season as a time of opportunity. This is not a time to forget that criminals will also be out and about looking for easy targets to make a big score. Nothing can ruin your Christmas spirit faster than becoming the victim of a crime.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that crime goes up this time of year. Illegal activities such as burglaries, muggings, car thefts, robberies, pick pocketing, credit card scams, etc. Remember to vigilantly follow all the safety measures you normal do when it's not the holiday season. Criminals will often target those who are distracted and aren't paying attention.

When you head out to the shopping malls after your Thanksgiving feast keep the following safety tips in mind. Remember these tips are useful all year long too.

PARKING ...
... LOT SAFETY

Trying to stay safe while you are shopping for Christmas can be a little difficult. Mainly because there are fewer daylight hours in the day at this season of the year. Often shoppers arrive at a mall when it is day and find that it has gotten dark outside by the time they are ready to leave. Anxious to get inside and make their purchases, many shoppers don't consider this when they park.

Because parking lots fill up quickly this time of year, it might be harder to find a good parking spot. Look for one that has plenty of light and lots of pedestrian traffic around. Avoid parking in remote areas if at all possible and don't forget to lock your vehicle when you leave. Become familiar with the area where you parked. Take a mental note of the row and number so you can easily find your car when you return.

Take a friend along when you go shopping. This will lessen your chances of being targeted by an attacker or mugger. If you have no choice but to shop alone, then try to walk with other shoppers through the parking lot.

{SAFETY IN THE MALL|SHOPPING MALL SAFETY|SHOPPING MALL SAFETY TIPS

While shopping inside it is a good idea to avoid dark hallways and stockrooms, especially at closing time. Avoid using bathrooms that are hidden in a back passageway. Use facilities located near the mall's food court or other well-trafficked areas instead.

Be constantly guarded and vigilant as you move through crowds. Watch out for any unfamiliar person who bumps, pushes or gets too close. These may be a tactic designed to draw your attention away from pickpockets trying to take your wallet. Be sure to keep a close watch on your shopping bags and other personal effects as well. Always keep your purse close by. Never leave it unattended in the shopping cart. Do not keep your wallet, credit cards or cash in your back pocket or a backpack. These are places pickpockets find it easy to get at without being noticed. As an alternative, carry them in your front pockets.

Don't carry large amounts of cash with you. Try to make your purchases using a personal check, credit card, or ATM card if you can. When you do use cash pull out only what you need and keep the remainder hidden from view. It's always a good idea to carry minimal amounts of cash, regardless of the time of year. Never flash your cash. Make your most expensive purchases last so you can head straight home afterward.

Before returning to your car, make sure you're not over-burdened with packages. Consolidate as many packages as possible, or make several trips to your car to deposit packages in the trunk. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid becoming a tempting target.

Have your car keys in hand to avoid "searching" for them when you reach your car. As you draw near to your vehicle wait until you are almost upon it before using your fob to unlock it. Unlocking it too early could possibly inform a would-be assailant which car is yours. He could then hurry on ahead to reach your car before you and wait for your arrival. Before you get into your car scan the back seat and other areas where an attacker might hide to make sure it is safe to do so.

It is a good idea to place your packages inside your trunk so they are out of sight. Never leave them in plain view where someone would be tempted to smash your windows and steal your packages while you are away from your car.

When you get inside your car, lock your doors without delay and then drive away. {Don't wait around sitting there to check off your shopping list, jot purchases down in your checkbook ledger or whatever it is that may cause you to delay your departure.|Wait until later to check off your list or scribble purchases into your check
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