I’m often asked what is Holiday Shopping Self Defense? Well, Holiday Shopping Self Defense incompasses everything from being aware of your surroundings to employing self-defense weapons if attacked by an assailant. The holiday season is a busy time of the year for everyone including criminals. Remember, holiday shoppers are bouncing from store to store often carrying large amounts of cash and carrying multiple packages.
The FBI crime reports confirm that criminals are more active and crimes such as burglaries, robberies, car jackings, car thefts and muggings increase during the month of December. Holiday Shopping Self Defense means being vigilant about your personal safety during the holiday season.
These are dangerous times and criminals are looking for someone they can catch off guard. As you already know, the day after Thanksgiving is the official start of the winter holiday shopping season. The following Holiday Shopping Self Defense tips will minimize your chances of being targeted and victimized by a criminal. Remember, Black Friday is on November 26, 2010 which officially launches the holiday shopping season.
Your safety and security while shopping and enjoying the holiday festivities should be high on your list of priorities. Again, with the number of carjackings, robberies, personal assaults, burglaries and home invasions increasing at this time of year, it is imperative that you implement these Holiday Shopping Self Defense tips…
1. Be fully aware of your surroundings at all times and be totally alert as your walk to your car. Take notice of anybody loitering around the parking lot or garage especially at night.
2. As you walk to your car, have your car keys ready in your hand and be prepared to use them as a weapon if assaulted or attacked. It is strongly recommended that women carry a wildfire pepper spray keychain as a non-lethal form of self-defense.
3. If your car has a remote, only unlock the driver’s side door with your remote and wait until you are fairly close to the car before doing so.
4. Before getting into your car, check to make sure there is not someone hiding inside. Many people have a dangerous habit of not locking their car doors.
5. Women, wear comfortable shoes rather than high heels when shopping. If you are attacked in the parking lot or garage, comfortable shoes with no heels can help you escape.
6. Avoid parking near large vehicles or shrubbery, especially if shopping alone. Also, be leery of vans with sliding doors parked next to the driver’s side of your car. Above all, trust your intuition and return to the mall to request a security escort if you don’t feel safe or you feel that something looks suspicious.
7. Finally, don’t leave valuables such as iPod’s, wallets, laptops, purses, cash or packages in plain view inside your car. You are just inviting a thief to break into your car.
Crime Is Real, Don’t Be a Victim!
Gerald Urban