Right now we’re in the middle of the shopping madness of the Holidays. Most of us are stressed, want to finish gathering those gifts, and a fairly short tempered. In our rush, we can easily forget the basics of staying safe on our shopping trips.
Our friends at the Houston Police Department have provided some great holiday safety tips:
- Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
- Shop with a friend whenever possible. There is safety in numbers.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Pay for purchases with a check or credit card.
- If possible, carry only your driver’s license, necessary credit cards or personal checks.
- If you must carry a purse, do not wrap straps around your arms or shoulders. You could risk injury from a would-be purse-snatcher.
- Do not carry wallets in a back pocket.
- When possible, slip bags/purchases in a nondescript bag(s).
- Watch your purchases while eating in mall food courts; bags can be easily snatched.
- Have your car keys ready in hand before leaving the store.
Larry Kaminer in an article for The Personal Safety Group indicates that harder targets tend to operate in what has been described as “Condition Yellow”, a frame of mind in which you are relaxed yet aware of your surroundings and employ sound strategy.
People in “Condition Yellow”:
- Walk with their heads up, shoulders back and scan their surroundings making them more difficult to surprise.
- Dress down, blend in and wear comfortable footwear that allows them to move quickly.
- Always know what is going on in the blind spot behind them.
- Back into their parking space allowing for a rapid egress if necessary
- Remain aware of who is around them while shopping and remember to scan the upper balconies from time to time knowing criminals often do their surveillance from the high ground.
- Are good at reading body language and do not deem their instincts as silly or irrational if they get a “bad vibe” from somebody. They will remain in a well-lit, busy area until they are certain that the threat no longer exists or help arrives.
- Carry very little, allowing them to rapidly bring their hands to bear to protect themselves.
- Ask security to escort them to their vehicle if they feel uncomfortable.
- Do not draw cash from mall ATMs knowing this attract unwanted attention.
- Carry bags with the strap over one shoulder and not across their body so the strap cannot be used as a convenient “handle” by which to grab and control with.
- Look inside and underneath their vehicles before unlocking and loading packages. (A small flashlight always comes in handy.)
- Do not turn their back on the world as they load their vehicle.
- Lock their vehicles even for the brief time it will take to return the shopping cart.
- Ignore handbills placed on the windshield knowing this could be a set up.
- Once in their vehicles, lock doors and drive away immediately.
- Are weary of panel vans or utility vehicles parked on the driver’s side or near their vehicles. It is easy to be pulled through the sliding door of a van.
- Make sure they have not been followed from the mall by paying attention to the vehicles around or behind them.
Dean & Draper
We hope your holidays are filled with laughter, joy, and warmth. We are always available to answer your insurance questions and welcome your call.
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The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. Dean & Draper Insurance Agency specifically disclaims any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency. By providing this information to you, Dean & Draper Insurance Agency does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
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The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. Dean & Draper Insurance Agency specifically disclaims any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency. By providing this information to you, Dean & Draper Insurance Agency does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.