With Christmas Eve upon us, you really can’t wait much longer before you head out the door and get that holiday shopping complete. While waiting until the last minute might help you score some great deals, it also puts you in prime position to become the target of a thief. We thought it might be a good idea to provide some real basic winter holiday safety tips to help keep you safe while you’re out completing your holiday shopping.
Although the days are shorter during this time of the year, safety tips for the holiday season generally starts with shopping during daylight hours if possible. If you do have to go out at night, or if you know it will be night time by the time you leave the store, take at least one other person with you. Remember, there’s safety in numbers and the more people you have in a group, the less likely you will be victimized. In addition, park your vehicle near a light whenever possible.
It’s also very easy to get caught up in all of the excitement of holiday shopping and lose track of where you are. You need to remain alert at all times, remember where you are and where you’re parked. Walking around looking confused makes you a prime target for a thief.
If you are going from store to store and you’re placing purchased items in your car, be certain to use your trunk. Placing them inside the car where the can be easily seen through your windows is simply begging for a break-in.
Whether it is broad daylight or not, you should also have your keys ready before you walk out of the door at the store. By having them ready, you won’t be fumbling or digging for them at your vehicle. Digging for your keys distracts you and provides an opportunistic crook more time to come after you in the parking lot. You should also take a quick look inside your car (just to make sure no one is inside of it before you enter) and, of course, lock your doors once you get inside.
The general rule for holiday safety and security while holiday shopping is to avoid drawing attention to yourself in any way. You need to avoid looking lost, confused or upset. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry when you go shopping and you should keep your wallet or purse at home whenever humanly possible. But if you have decided that you will indeed have to pay with cash, keep it in your front pocket. It’s obviously safer, however, to pay with a credit card (or a check) rather than carrying cash.
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