Safety Tips for Holiday Shopping

Many criminals - purse snatchers, muggers, and even worse types of bad guys - like the holiday shopping season because there are so many potential victims at malls, shopping centers and discount-department stores. Many shoppers are out by themselves, sometimes late at night. Most victims have money to spend - and some have lots of it on hand in their purses or wallets. And when there's a large crowd, it's easier to become distracted, which is exactly what criminals want.

Here are a few tips to help you, the savvy shopper, avoid becoming a victim this holiday season. Most apply year round, actually, so feel free to incorporate them into your everyday life.

• Leave as much cash as possible at home. The less you flash at the register, the less attractive you are to a nearby criminal. This also applies to credit and debit cards. Take as few of them as possible when you go shopping. If somebody grabs your wallet or purse, you have fewer calls to make to cancel those cards.
  

• Take a shopping buddy with you. This is practical because you'll have some help finding stores in the mall, carrying packages to your car, et cetera. This is also important because criminals tend to pick off solo shoppers. Not many bad guys or gals will go after groups of people - especially if the people in that group are all paying attention to their surroundings.
  

• When you take an armload of purchases to your car, lock them in the trunk. It's also a good idea to go ahead and pull out of that parking spot - even if you're not ready to leave the mall or shopping center just yet. Leaving that parking spot will deter any thief who's waiting for you to load up and go back inside. He or she will think that you're leaving the premises, not just moving to a different spot. And when you pull in to the new spot, people who might be watching won't often guess that you've already loaded down your trunk with valuable goods.
  

• Walking to and from your car can be unnerving if you don't know how to do it safely. Before you leave the store, fish out your car keys. You don't want to be standing in a dark parking garage, fumbling around outside of your car. When you reach your car, get in and immediately lock your doors. Do this before you put on your seat belt, start your engine or turn on the radio. Your goal is to get out of the parking spot as quickly as possible: otherwise, you could be a sitting target.
  

• Constantly look around at fellow shoppers. You don't have to stare at people. That's rude and, to be honest, a little creepy. Looking around at other people - instead of being absorbed in your shoes, or your shopping bags, or whatever else - deters many criminals. They don't want you to know that they're coming. They'd prefer to jump the person who appears to be in his or her own little universe, not paying any attention to what's happening.
  

• If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, ask a store employee for help. Many retailers will find somebody to walk you to your car, especially after dark.
  

We shouldn't have to be afraid of criminals or their activities during this wonderful time of the year. These tips will help you stay safe and enjoy your holiday shopping.