12 Days of Christmas Shopping List

Don’t get scrooged this year by thieves or car burglars. As holiday shopping goes into full swing, here are 12 safety tips to make Christmas shopping safer!

1. Assailants are often sizing up people entering and exiting the shopping mall. Don’t look like an easy target, walk with intent and more like someone who knows how to handle trouble. Trust your gut instinct and change your course if it doesn’t ‘feel right’ ahead.
2. Combine your purchases into one or two large shopping bags, this way you can keep track of everything and become less of a target.
3. Never leave your purchases unattended, even for a few minutes.
4. Don’t leave your handbag in the shopping cart while you shop.
5. Be careful how you handle your money, don’t flash the cash while paying for items or count out your money in public.
6. Save your most expensive purchases for last, so you can head home afterwards.
7. Get your car keys out before you leave the shopping mall and separate the keys between your fingers and close your fist, this will make your car keys an effective defense weapon.
8. Do not remotely unlock your car until you’re right by your car.
9. When strapping your child into their car seat, look around and be aware.
10. Don’t get distracted by your cellphone once in the car, lock your car doors and get going.
11. Place all your items in the trunk of your car. It may be tempting to throw your shopping bags on the back seat. But shopping bags in plain view, are more of a target on the way home or stopping at the traffic lights. Last thing you want is to have your car windows smashed and your family’s presents stolen.
12. If you are shopping late or going to see a movie, park up close to the entrance or consider going into the underground shopping which is normally well-lit and secure.

​We hope you have a safe and special holiday season – one that does NOT include property loss claims!