Black Friday Shopping: Be Alert!

The holidays are nearly upon us, and thus begins the shopping for people in your life. When we do this, it is important to remember some vital safety tips. Awareness is key and must be switched on during activities at the "watering hole".

The watering hole refers to places that all the animals go, where there could be a lion waiting to pounce. We all go because we must, but ther is a level of dange associated with the place itself.

Now I am not saying that your local superstore is a truly dangerous place, but there can be dangers. Here are some store safety tips to take with you:

1) Be aware of who is around you.

As it gets more crowded, people end up in closer proximity. This means a higher chance of being pickpocketed. Keep your space if you can, and keep eyes on people close to you.

2) Pay attention to who is following you.

No, not everyone that leaves the store at the same time as you is following you, but people headed toward your vehicle from the store (especially those with no merchandise) should get extra attention.

3) Things and people get in the vehicle quickly.

When we dawdle at putting our purchases into the vehicle we have a perfect victim pose: looking away, occupied, bent over is the perfect position for someone to harm your with lower risk of you being able to fight back.

4) Hide the goods.

Often shopping takes us to multiple stores. When going from one to the other, make sure the previous purchases are hidden, camouflaged or both. This doesn't guarantee your vehicle won't get broken into, but I can help reduce the risk.

Be well, and Happy Holidays!