The winter holiday season is fast approaching and as always it's a very busy time of year for everyone, especially for criminals. With the holiday season upon us, most people are preoccupied with the details of holiday planning and shopping. Holiday shoppers are running from store to store often carrying large amounts of money and loaded down with packages. Perhaps more so than at other times of the year. Regrettably criminals will also be out and about looking for their next easy mark. This is certainly not the time to let your guard down. Becoming the unfortunate victim of a crime can certainly destroy anyone's Christmas cheer.
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 be on the look out for someone they can catch off guard.
The day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the shopping season for the holidays. As you begin that holiday shopping, you might want some advice on how to avoid becoming an easy mark for criminals. Remember these tips are useful all year long too.
SAFETY IN THE PARKING LOT
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.
Parking lots fill up quickly this time of year which makes it harder to find a decent spot. Try to find one that is in a well-lit area with lots of foot traffic. Don't park in secluded areas if you can help it. When you leave your car be sure to lock it. Look around to familiarize yourself with the area. Note what row you parked in and the spot number too. This will make it easier to 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
Once inside the mall stay away from dark hallways and backroom areas, especially near 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. Beware of strangers who bump, shove or get too close. Pickpockets may use these diversions to lift your wallet. Keep a close eye on your shopping bags and other personal belongings. Carry your purse firmly near your body and 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. Keep them in your front pockets instead.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Make purchases using a check, credit card, or debit card whenever possible. At the times when you do pay using cash, pull out only what you need. Keep the rest of your cash hidden away so bystanders can see how much you are carrying. Regardless of the time of year, it is never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash with you. Try to save your most costly purchases for last, so you can head straight home afterward.
When you are ready to go back to your car, don't be overloaded with packages. Combine as many of them as you can into fewer packages or make several trips to your car. Carrying too many packages will hinder your view and you won't be able to move quickly to avoid being attacked.
Always have your car keys ready to avert having to search for them in your purse or pocket when you reach your vehicle. Look over your shoulder periodically to make sure you are not being followed back to your car. As you approach your car, do not use the auto unlock mode on your key fob from too far a distance. By doing this, the flashing lights on the vehicle are advertising to a would-be assailant which vehicle is yours. He could race ahead and then be waiting for you at the car. Instead, wait until just before you get to there, check to make sure you are not being followed, then unlock the doors. When you arrive at your vehicle be sure to look into the back seat before you get in to make sure no one is hiding inside.
Don't leave your valuables and packages inside your vehicle in plain sight. It is best to put them into your trunk where they are hidden from view. Failure to do so could be cause for someone to break into your car and take your belongings.
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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