The holidays can be kind of a blur, running from store to store, party to party and finding all those hidden presents before March. It’s easy to become distracted and lose focus. This is not the time to fall victim to thieves who prey on holiday shoppers as they pile up presents like Santa’s sleigh.
Every year shoppers fall victim to smash and grab thieves in parking lots or even in their own driveways. As we try and fit all of our holiday chores into smaller and smaller bits of time we may become lazy and simply leave our purchases in plain site.
Law enforcement officers have safety tips each year to protect your valuables and yourself.
Don’t leave valuables in your car such as:
- Purses and wallets
- Laptop bags, briefcases and backpacks
- Shopping bags
- Cell phones, MP3 players, navigation systems and other small electronics
- Loose change and CDs
- Keys
- Mail with identifying information
- Receipts
If you shop in multiple locations moving packages from plain site is also recommended. However, don’t do it when you arrive at your destination, it’s too obvious to thieves who may be watching. As you exit stores put purchases into your trunk before you leave for your next stop.
For personal safety:
- Park in busy lots and designated spaces, near pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
- If there’s a chance you’ll be away from your car after dusk, park in a well-lit area or near a lamppost.
- Choose a lot with an attendant over one without.
- Be alert and stay off of your phone until you’re safely inside your car.
- Once inside lock your doors immediately.
Keeping your stuff (and yourself) safe can go a long way toward making the holidays a wonderful and memorable experience. It’s really about spending time with family and friends, to renew the bonds that keep us close so that when we do open that purple flowered scarf from Aunt Ida we’ll just smile and say thanks.