When December rolls around, much of our attention centers on finding the perfect gifts for the special people in our lives and, for many, finalizing holiday travel plans. With so much to think about, we tend to take the safety of ourselves and our loved ones for granted. The good news is that there are simple steps everyone can take each day to stay as safe as possible.
Throughout December, SABRE will be sharing a series of Smart Shopping Tips and Smart Travel Tips on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and G+ pages. We’ve curated the most practical and useful insights to help our followers stay empowered during the holiday season and beyond.
Smart Shopping Tip #1 is to park as near the store entrance as possible, preferably under a streetlight. Also, keep in mind that the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) reminds us to never buy more than we can carry with one hand free. NCPC has plenty of safety tips – view more here.
Smart Shopping Tip #2 concerns what we should do with our new purchases. Don’t put these gifts anywhere near windows. Instead, store the purchases on the floor and out of sight – the trunk of your car is another smart location. Also, check out Keeping Your Car and its Contents Safe from Cars.com for additional information.
Here’s a sneak peek of our December #SelfieSafety video from our partner Jennifer Cassetta, a self-defense expert dedicated to empowering women. She offers a few safety tips that will help holiday travelers avoid being stolen from or assaulted. Her main pieces of advice are:
- Know where you’re going. When you look confused or are looking at your phone or map, you’re a soft target.
- Use official cabs, such as the yellow cabs of New York City.
- If you’re bundling up, don’t let your hat, hood, or other attire block your eyesight.
Smart Shopping Tip #3 is to trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. If a situation is making you nervous, get out of that situation. A nice guideline is the 10 Seconds to Safety rule, which we teach in our Personal Safety Academy courses. Always be prepared to change course if something doesn’t feel right. Here’s a quick overview:
The final Smart Shopping Tip we’ll share today regards a striking fact from the National Association of Convenience Stores: Independent retailers (stores that aren’t in shopping malls) are much more likely to be robbed if you can’t see the cash register from the parking lot. If possible, plan to shop at stores with cash registers near the window.
Stay tuned throughout December for more important, practical advice from SABRE. Follow us on our social media pages, take note of our tips, and share with loved ones.
We’re wishing you a safe and cheerful holiday season!
