A lot of people are shopping for the holidays and as sales kick off, so do safety concerns. More people are out and about, stress levels are heightened, the pressure is on to find the perfect gift and competition is at an all-time high. As we move into a season of giving, most people are simply interested in getting a good deal and saving as much money as possible, but not all shoppers are toting around a bag of joy with them and spreading cheer. There will be those who have criminal activity in mind.

By now, you’ve likely heard the stories from previous years or even seen these things happen firsthand; people trampling others to be first through the door, fighting in the checkout lines and even stealing from fellow patrons. Here’s the thing, those tense moments and disruptions don’t always end when you leave the store to head home either. And for those working during this time, things can get especially interesting. In this blog, we’re going to cover the things you can do to be in a shop ‘til you drop setting and remain safe at the same time.

Anticipation Leads to Preparation

Some of us wait all year long, adding ideas for others to our lists and awaiting the arrival of promising offers that make us feel fiscally responsible when we buy. Others of us … well, we’re the last-minute runners. However, 2021 presents some unique challenges for all of us with significant shortages in some markets, not to mention higher shipping costs and longer delivery times, too. That means the demand for certain goods later in the month is going to be much higher as we see scarcity go into effect. Even the biggest of retailers have kicked off their holiday sales weeks earlier this year. For many, this has allowed them to avoid the sale rush and shopping in-person on Black Friday. TIP: If you can (and want to) we say skip in-store shopping and opt for online or curbside pickup. If you must brave the big-saving events, we get it. Online-only isn’t always practical, but we want to prepare you to stay as safe as possible.

Shopping safely starts with personal awareness and preparedness. You must prep the mind, body and create a plan of attack. If you’re new to this kind of mindset, don’t worry, we’re here to help you with all three. If this is an old song and dance you’re well-versed in, consider this blog a nice refresher or a resource you can share with your friends and family. Let’s kick off by delving into mental preparation. First and foremost, you’ll want to stay in condition yellow at all times. Don’t get distracted by your phone, the kids, all of the commotion around you or that flashy advertising. Be ready to stay in tune with your environment and recognize that you’re entering a slippery slope where things could change quickly and unexpectedly. It only takes a few seconds for the vibe in a room to shift.

Next up is physical preparedness with the body. Before you set out on your retail adventure, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. The first is pairing down the items you carry along with you and only bringing the essentials. Then, keep your wallet in the front of your pants or use a cross-body purse that zips. No matter what, keep that stash close and secure it to your body so no one can pull a snatch and grab. Just in case, limit your plastic for the day to one credit card if possible. Carrying a wad of cash around with you just has the potential to brighten one pickpocket’s day and make their holiday season a very happy one. If you do have to use cash, get it from the ATM in advance so you have one less stop the day of.

Now, we’re going to take preparing your person for the big event one step further. Make sure you choose safety tools that you’re allowed to carry in the locations you’re going. That may be a whistle, pepper spray, a Taser or something else. Whatever you select, make sure that you’re comfortable with it and ready to use it as a last resort option if *fit hits the shan.* Anything that will act as an added distraction is not worth the extra fidgeting and fearfulness. Our top pick? Wear your body armor or carry a ballistic plate in your bag! If you don’t have your own yet, now is as good of a time as any to add this personal protection tool to the top of that shopping list. Concealable Vests, like those made by Safe Life Defense, are quite discreet. And if it’s cold by you this time of year, it’s easy to throw on a sweater or jacket and hide the presence of armor entirely. Don’t want to wear armor? Carry it. Choose from a variety of backpack panels that can quickly and easily be slipped into a tote, briefcase or old shopping bag. If you happen to be working these sales, you know that your tools of the trade are especially important when it comes to staying safe! Armor up and consider upgrading to rifle-rated protection.

Pull Out Your Scratch Pad

So, “What’s the plan of attack?” That’s a question you’ll want to start asking ahead of time and writing down. Will you be going with a group of people or by yourself? If the option is available to you, choose the buddy system because there’s safety in numbers! Make sure you all have cell phones and a way to contact each other if you’re separated. That means fully charged and ringer on loud. It’s also not a bad idea to bring a charger with you if you’re going to be in for the long haul. Another idea for those go-getter groups? Think about wearing clothing items that will make you stand out and easy to find in a crowd. Heck, you could all wear a SLD t-shirt and match!

Where will you go and who’s piloting the ship? Narrow down your stops to stores with safety measures like metal detectors, a security team or police presence standing by. If you’re a professional, you already know companies tend to beef up in this area to keep patrons safe this time of year. But choosing the best locations is just one piece of the puzzle. Driving to and from different spots can be treacherous. Amidst the rush, there are careless, distracted drivers and road rage cases. TIP: Wear body armor while driving. It’s proven to reduce the blunt-force trauma experienced during car accidents and could save your life.

What do you need to get? Map it out and tell a friend or family member the locations so at least one person knows where you’ll be and when you’ll be checking in. If you’ll be riding solo, call that individual for a check-in when you move locations. Finally, figure out when, where and what time will you meet up with your group or head home. Leaving together is always safer than going it alone. If you plan to bring the kiddos along, prioritize teaching them to stay put and create a central meetup plan. If at any point someone gets lost, they need to know how to find help via a store employee or law enforcement officer.

Hitting the Hottest Sales

There are two kinds of shoppers time of year, those who eagerly await the best deals on Black Friday and brave the crowds … and those who tend to shop early (or online) and won’t go within a mile of a sale from Thanksgiving on. But, if you find yourself among the former group, a little bit of thoughtful planning and a few precautions can make your day more productive, safe and fun for everyone.

This time of year there are deals so good, it’s actually dangerous. Retailers that offer special discounts or gifts to a select number of customers who enter the store when it opens are places for increased risk. They tend to bring out the worst in some people, creating a mad rush for that “gold” on the other side of the metaphorical, pearly gates. We have to ask ourselves as individuals, is it worth it? NO. No discount is worth personal injury, that’s for sure. Here are a few additional tips for when you’re in the fiery sale sections:

Never set your stuff down or leave a cart and shopping bags unattended.
Beware of the dangers strangers can pose. It’s the hottest season for scams too.
Caught in an altercation you didn’t ask to be a part of? Walk away. No product is worth potential harm.
Never underestimate how far people will go. Always show courtesy and take the high road.
Don’t pull money out until you have to, and be discreet about how much you have.
Alert security of any suspicious activity you witness. It could save lives.

Can’t Forget About the Car

Okay. You prepped, planned and have done all that you can. What else could you possibly be missing? Well, a little bit of car safety never hurts. This is one more area in your day you could encounter some potentially scary situations. By now, you get it. Black Friday is just like any other day, but with elevated risks. When parking, be patient, don’t rush or cut corners to get to that open spot that’s only an aisle closer. Instead, make plans to park wisely away from crowds and under a well-light area for an easy exit. You should avoid parking next to vans and large trucks that block your space from the vision of others. The more open your views are, the less likely you are to be perceived as an easy target. Remember to lock your doors while waiting for a store to open and take note of where you parked so you’re not wandering the lot later.

Don’t leave small items of value, like your watch or electronics, in your car when you head inside (and definitely don’t ditch your armor either). If you do, ensure items of importance are far out of view from anyone who may be peeking in your windows as they walk by. And when you walk to and from that space you found, always be scanning your surroundings and looking for shadows underneath vehicles. It’s important to have your keys ready and in hand so you’re not caught unattentive while fumbling around trying to find them. When returning to your vehicle, remember that you don’t have to get it all at once. It’s smart to avoid being overloaded with too many bags that can prevent you from getting your hands free if needed. Instead, consider a trip to the car in between purchases and always look in and around the vehicle before entering. Never leave it unlocked, running or unattended with the keys inside. The old “out of sight, out of mind” saying holds true here, too. Hide those shopping bags filled with new treasures and tempting merchandise from view. Put them in your trunk, a back seat or an area that’s covered. It pays to play it safe.

On the Home Front

The final pages of your holiday shopping prep plan happen right at home. Although in the middle of the commotion is where you’re most likely to encounter an issue, your “safe space” where you let your guard down is also a potential target for wrongdoers. If you have an open-door policy, now is the best time to start locking things up tight. That means windows, doors and that spare key you keep outside. Robbers often look for patterns in people’s schedules and easy marks with big rewards. Keep an eye out for strange vehicles in your neighborhood and other irregularities. Examples would be someone going door-to-door selling obscure products or services, individuals who ask to enter your home to “take a look” at a problem they got a call about (the one you didn’t make) and people who recently started to frequent your area without a good reason. If they’re 30+ miles from their home because they like running on your road, chances are they’re not being honest. Of course, that depends on how scenic your view is.

To add that extra layer of precaution to your home make sure you put gifts, wrapping supplies and brand-name store bags away. If the goods and hints as to what you have inside stay out of view for thieves, they’re less likely to show up at your door. Lastly, save your receipts and monitor your account activity. Physical stores and your front door aren’t the only places that mishaps can occur. Sometimes attacks, like identity theft and stolen credit cards are virtual or executed by a passerby.

At the end of the day, we want you to do what you want to! Everyone should be able to get out there and have a great time in the presence of friends and family on Black Friday. It truly can be a very productive shopping day if you take these simple steps to make sure you are safe and are not risking injury. At Safe Life Defense, we want to help you be aware of things you may not have thought about before and encourage you to try them out and see the peace of mind preparation can offer.

Don’t forget to check out the incredible promotions we’re running right now for ALL first responders: