There are still many hours left to the Black Friday shopping frenzy, and a whole weekend to keep snatching up deals, so with that in mind, the NYPD has issued the following note and advice on how to stay safe this holiday season:
- Try to shop with a friend or relative. There’s safety in numbers: one of you can watch what you have already purchased, while the other can line up for the next bargain. Never leave a package unattended.
- Needless to say, always lock your vehicle and never leave packages in plain sight inside it. Put bags and parcels in the trunk, and be aware of people around you while you do.
- Park in a well lighted area. Always look into the back seat of the car before you get into your vehicle. If you feel uneasy about going to your vehicle, ask one of the security guards to walk with you to your car.
- Have a purse with straps long enough to go over your shoulder. Do not lay it down even for a second. Be careful showing the inside of your purse. Keep it zipped or locked until you are checking out. And be aware if someone starts jostling or rubbing up against you: that’s how pick-pockets draw away your attention.
- If you are planning to be out for even a short while, lock your house securely and arm your alarm system (here’s a reminder on “Stay” vs. “Away” arming). This is a perfect day for an intruder to target your home, since plenty of us are crawling the malls in search of those perfect presents.
And here’s a very important post-holiday home security tip, a few weeks ahead of time:
After the holidays it’s important to continue to protect your home, family and valuables from potential thieves by not advertising what your family received. Wait to put out your wrappings and empty boxes until right before the sanitation folks come to pick up. There are plenty of documented stories where thieves scoped out a neighborhood to see what people have purchased for the holidays, such as flat screen TV’s, computers, and high-end gaming systems – then came back later to help themselves.
Also, see the below links for great articles we strongly recommend reading about Black Friday Shopping tips and Holiday safety tips:
1. http://voices.yahoo.com/black-friday-shopping-safety-tips-2248414.html
2. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/19/4996880/this-black-friday-shop-with-home.html
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