If you are like most Greensboro residents, you are making your holiday lists and checking them twice this time of year. For many reasons, a lot of shopping will be done online. Yet, there are still must-have items that can make you venture out into the horde of shoppers crowding the aisles and jockeying for position in the parking lots.
While shoppers are bustling for bargains, however, they may not realize the enhanced risks of injury they encounter during the height of the holiday shopping season. To keep yourself hale and healthy this holiday season, here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones safer while shopping.
Plastic is safer than cash
When shopping, avoid carrying lots of cash. If your pocket gets picked or your purse is stolen, your cash will be gone forever. But if it’s a credit or debit card, you can freeze it and not be responsible for the thief’s purchases (although some may set a $50 limit or less).
Shop in groups
Solo shoppers are much likelier to be targeted as victims by criminals during the holiday shopping season. Make plans to shop with a friend or two.
Choose stores with visible security officers
All stores have a duty to provide a safe space for their customers. That includes hiring sufficient security to patrol parking lots and the store’s premises to keep dangerous conditions from occurring. Simply seeing a visible presence of security guards on duty in a mall or shopping center is a deterrent to many thieves.
Beware of crowded aisles
Yes, you may be jostling for bargain merchandise, but remain aware of your surroundings. Aisles with heavy items stacked above shoulder height could come tumbling down on unsuspecting shoppers’ heads. This could cause catastrophic injuries or even death.
If an accident occurs, seek help
If you do wind up injured due to a store’s lack of security or maintenance, learn all that you can about the process to seek compensation for your injuries and other damages.
