Archive for the ‘Holiday’ Category

Every single day since the moon rose over Black Friday shoppers, I’ve read sad story after sad story about thefts, assaults, robberies, and other Grinch-like criminal activity. We all know they’re out there, the holiday shoplifters, stocking snatchers, and skedaddling purse swipers. Yet, it happens time and time again…shoppers let down their guard. They don’t think. They’re not careful. They ASSUME it won’t happen to them. Well, if I may be so bold, let me say, yes, it could happen to you, and you, and…HEY! You over there…PAY ATTENTION! You’ll be the first person blogging tomorrow morning about the creep who swiped your brand new waffle maker and egg poacher.

Here are a few holiday shopping safety tips to consider while you’re out and about. By the way…I need socks, more books, tools, and that new waffle maker, if you manage to hang on to it. Hint, hint…

10 Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

1. Shop during daylight hours. if possible.

2. Shop with a friend or family member(s). Not alone.

3. If you must shop at night, park in well-lit areas, and as close to the store as possible.

4. Don’t leave valuables, or anything that looks valuable, in sight. Place them inside the glove compartment, console, trunk, or in the back of the SUV, covered by a blanket.

5. Check your surroundings before getting out of the car. Wait for strangers to pass before unlocking the car door. Bad guys troll parking lots!

6. Don’t carry large purses or bags. Instead, take only the items you need—driver’s license, the least amount of cash needed, and a credit card. Place those items in your FRONT pocket. If you absolutely cannot leave home without the suitcase-size bag, then carry it over your shoulder. At least it’s a bit more difficult to steal when carried that way.

Clean out your wallet! Do not carry 47 credit cards, directions to house, your pin numbers and alarm code, your computer passwords, pictures of your house and kids, divorce papers, and keys to your safety deposit box. Necessary items only.

By the way, never use your actual home address as the “home” location on your GPS. Instead, pick an address that’s a few blocks away. Hopefully, you’re not so dependent on the gizmo that you’d be able to find your way home from there. By using a different address other than your own, if your car is stolen, the thief won’t drive straight to your house where he’d conveniently use the garage remote to gain access to your goodies.

7. When you get that uneasy feeling about anything in the parking lot, go back inside the store. Do not attempt to go to your car. Sure, you might make it there safely, and you can lock your doors…but glass breaks easily. Go back to the store and ask a security guard to escort you to your vehicle.

8. When placing packages inside your car, always place them in the trunk (or covered in the rear of the SUV). And it’s a good idea at that time to move the car to another parking space in another area of the mall. That way potential thieves who’ve been watching and waiting will think you’ve left and will move on.

9. Watch out for false charities. Just because someone is ringing a bell doesn’t mean they’re legitimate. If you don’t trust the person with their hand out, but you’d like to help out in some way, you could always mail in your contribution. Remember, the bad guys are waiting for you to open your purse so they can grab the cash and run.

10. Pay attention, pay attention, pay attention! Have your keys ready and in hand when heading across the parking lot. Do not go to your car if you see someone standing nearby , or, if you sense someone following you. Look inside the car before getting in—front and back. Be sure no one is hiding on the other side of the car before opening your door.

Goodness, if shopping is like playing catch with live hand grenades, then why not just do all your shopping online? Well…there are a few problems there, too. Stay tuned for more about safe online purchases and ATM transactions.

Shopping…Bah, Humbug…

*Next – Holiday safety tips for your money

Morning parade
Smiling faces
Squealing children
Marching bands
Families gather
Fire crackles
Turkey legs
Pumpkin pie
Eggnog
Football games
Pistol. Badge. Vest.
Kiss the kids, and please, save a drumstick for me.
I’m almost home.

Family traveling
Smiling faces
Squealing children
Thoughts of
Grandmother’s cooking
Turkey legs
Pumpkin pie
Crackling fire
Eggnog
Football games.
Happy. Love. Joy.

Drunk drivers
Speeding drivers
Texting drivers
Careless drivers
Aggressive drivers
Sleepy drivers
Depressed drivers
Distracted drivers
Reckless drivers
Road rage
A horrible collision.
An entire family, gone.

Tangled metal.
Three little ones.
Mother and father, too.
I don’t know.
A couple hours, at least.
Yes, save a drumstick.
Hug our kids.
Tell them I love them.
I’ll be there soon.
Those poor children, though...
They’ll never go home again.

10-4, send the coroner.

Yes, five victims.

Tell her there’s no rush.

I’ll be standing by.

There’s nothing else I can do for them.

Those poor children.

They were almost home.

Almost home…