The Best Present to Yourself and Family is Crime Prevention
Written by Teresa Bernard on February 4, 2010 – 9:00 am -The winter holidays is a busy season for everyone including criminals. Many are caught up in the particulars of their holiday preparations and shopping. Consumers are running from place to place with large amounts of cash in their wallets and loaded down with packages more so at this time of year than any other. Sorry to say crooks will also be out looking for their next victim. The holiday season is not the time to let your guard down. Being the unfortunate prey of crime can quickly wreck your holiday mood.
According to the FBI, crime incidents become more frequent during this particular time of the year. Burglaries, muggings, car thefts, robberies, pick pocketing, credit card scams and crimes at ATMs all increase during the month of December. Often the safety precautions we may normally take are forgotten as the anticipation and excitement of the Yuletide season causes us to let our guard down. Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, remember to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Criminals will often target those who are distracted and aren’t paying attention.
After that Thanksgiving feast when you head out to the malls to start that holiday shopping, be sure to keep the following tips in mind. Don’t forget these tips are relevant at other times of the year too.
PARKING LOT SAFETY
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. Using the buddy system reduces your chances of being mugged or attacked. If you are shopping alone, consider walking near other shoppers in the parking lot. Walk in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid areas where people are loitering. Walk with a purpose and authority in your stride.
SHOPPING MALL SAFETY
While you are inside the mall don’t go near dark hallways or backroom areas, especially at closing time. Don’t use a bathroom facility that is located in a back passageway. It is best to use one near the food court or other high traffic area of the mall.
Be constantly guarded and vigilant as you move through crowds. Watch out for any unfamiliar person who bumps, pushes or gets too close. These may be a tactic designed to draw your attention away from pickpockets trying to take your wallet. Be sure to keep a close watch on your shopping bags and other personal effects as well. Always keep your purse close by. Never leave it unattended in the shopping cart. Don’t carry your wallet, credit cards or cash in the back pocket of your pants or in your backpack. These are places pickpockets find it easy to get at without being noticed. Keep them in your front pockets instead.
It’s not a good idea to carry large amounts of cash around. Whenever you can, try to pay for your purchases with checks, credit cards, or debit cards. When you do have to pay with cash only pull out what is needed. Keep the rest of your money hidden from view. Make your most expensive purchases last so you can head straight home afterwards.
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.
It’s best to have your car keys ready and in hand when you reach your vehicle to prevent having to search for them. You may also want to check if you are being followed to your car too. When you approach your car wait until you get closer to use your remote to unlock it. Unlocking your car from a distance could alert a would-be attacker which vehicle is yours. He could then race ahead and be waiting for you arrive. Before you get into your car scan the back seat and other areas where an attacker might hide to make sure it is safe to do so.
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 into your vehicle lock your doors immediately and drive off. 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. This creates the perfect opportunity for an attacker to approach you and force his way into your car, especially if you didn’t lock the doors.
As one more added precaution you may want to consider carrying a personal alarm. A personal alarm is the perfect self-defense device for drawing attention to you. These small, inexpensive items are easily carried and emit such a loud and obnoxious noise, that should you encounter an attacker, he would most likely search for a quieter victim.
Following the safety advice outlined above will help your holiday to be a merry one.
Learn more about self defense products and other security devices such as personal alarms visit www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com.
Posted in Life Style | No Comments »