Safety tips for shopping during the festive season

While the holiday season is all about celebration, giving and spending time with loved ones, it’s also a period when criminals take advantage of distracted shoppers.

To help keep yourself and your belongings safe, here are some simple but effective safety tips to keep in mind while you shop.

Shop with company: Moving around with a friend or family member makes you less vulnerable, as criminals rarely target groups. Having someone with you also improves awareness of your surroundings.

Stay alert: Take a moment to observe your environment. If a person or situation feels uncomfortable or suspicious, trust your instincts. Pause before walking to your car or leaving the store.

Use cards instead of cash: Carry as little cash as possible. Thieves often target shoppers who appear to have money on them, so opting for card payments reduces your risk.

Record your card details: Lay your credit cards out and take a clear photo or video of both sides. This ensures you have access to account numbers and contact information if your cards are lost or stolen. You can also store this information securely online.

Protect your handbag: Women’s handbags are a common target because they often contain keys, phones, wallets and sometimes weapons. Keep your bag closed, close to your body, and stay mindful of your surroundings.

Ask for an escort: When walking to your car, especially at night, stay alert, keep your keys ready, and avoid using your phone. If something feels off, request a security escort from the store or mall. Use your car’s hazard lights to draw attention if you feel threatened.

Respond safely to danger: If you find yourself in a crisis in a public place, remember the basic emergency response: run, hide, fight. Run if you can escape, hide somewhere secure if running isn’t possible, and only fight as a last resort to protect yourself.