The busy holiday season has officially begun, which means that local shopping centers will be packed with crowds of eager shoppers looking for a deal on the perfect gift for their families and friends. Each year, hundreds of millions of people participate in Black Friday shopping. Since recording of incidents began during the early 2000’s, an estimated 17 deaths and 125 injuries have occurred as a result of Black Friday shopping crowds.

To avoid an unnecessary tragedy like these past incidents, Sheriff Hammonds offers some reminders to help you stay safe before you head out to find that perfect present:

  •  Keep your purse or wallet close to your body and avoid keeping your phone in your back pocket where it can easily be taken.
  •  Never fight or argue over an item in the store!
  •  Stay aware of your surroundings at all times and locate the exits closest to you.
  •  Before you leave for the store, let a friend or family member know where you are going and when you expect to return.
  •  Do not leave bags visible in your vehicle. Stow them in the locked trunk or take them directly home.
  •  Wait until you are asked by the cashier to take your credit or debit card out of your wallet. Someone waiting behind you may use this as an opportunity to look over your shoulder and get your account information.
  •  If you see someone or something suspicious, notify a store employee or law enforcement officer.

If you prefer to avoid the brick-and-mortar stores altogether and do your shopping online, you may still be at risk of becoming a victim of a cyber-crime. Here’s some ways you can avoid this:

  • Only shop on secure, trusted websites. Look for the “HTTPS” or a lock symbol at the beginning of the URL on the website you are visiting. The “S” stands for “secure” which means it is safe to enter your information.
  • Keep a record of all of your online purchases and monitor your bank activity for any purchases that do not match your receipts.
  • · Use a secure internet connection to do your shopping such as your home Wi-Fi. Public networks like those available at coffee shops are not secure and may be used to collect your private information.
  • · Do your research if you are unfamiliar with a particular online retailer. Take your time to ensure that the website is legitimate before making a purchase.

“While the holidays are a happy and exciting time, we cannot forget how important it is to continue to keep ourselves and our communities safe,” said Sheriff Hammonds. “Take a little extra time to review these safety reminders before you begin your holiday shopping to help keep the holiday cheer!”