Shopping Survival Guide
It is that time of the year again. Time to spread holiday cheer! Unfortunately holiday cheer is not the only thing on the rise, crime is also on the rise during these months. Women are often prime targets and in an effort to avoid becoming a target we must first understand what makes you a target. The first thing thieves look for is someone that is distracted. They need to ensure they will get away with the crime, and that requires a target that is constantly turning their back towards their valuables, or looking down at their phone. To combat this you must be constantly aware of your surroundings, which is easier said than done. One way to achieve this is to get into the habit of scanning your environment. Every couple of minutes lift your head and scan, look at every person within eyesight, locate the nearest employee, and exit. It’s so easy to become hyper focused on the task at hand, but if you make it a habit you’ll eventually train your brain to snap out of your shopping trance and check in with your surroundings regularly. This is especially important if you are shopping with children. Sadly, trafficking is a serious threat in our community, and young children are easy targets. Teach your kids about the importance of staying within arms reach of you. Don’t be ashamed to use modalities to help keep your kids safe, there’s a lot of stigma about using leashes but at the end of the day all that matters is that your babies are safe, healthy and happy. If you ever feel uneasy about someone while you're shopping do not hesitate to notify an employee. Trust your intuition!
Purses are often the main target of most thieves, you can make yourself less of a target by not carrying a purse whenever possible. Instead of a purse consider a fanny pack or small crossbody bag that you can keep on you the entire time. Or an even better option is to use your phone case as a wallet allowing you to be bag free.
Be sure you are wearing practical clothing that you can move freely in. Does your shopping outfit have pockets? Can you easily run and hide if you need to? It is important to be prepared for a potential natural disaster, active shooter, robbery, or a sexual assault when you are in target areas such as shopping malls. Most injuries come from falls during emergency situations, and most falls are a result of improper shoes. This is also another factor that would encourage a potential thief to choose you as a target. They could ensure an escape if you are wearing shoes that would slow you down.
When walking out to your car stop at the exit and scan the parking lot for any potential threats. Notice any suspicious cars parked close to yours. If you see any potential threats ask an employee to walk you to your car. If not, approach your car with your key fob in your hand ready to press the panic button if you need to. You want to ensure you get into your vehicle as quickly as possible and lock the doors. Many vehicles automatically unlock the doors when the car is in park, this feature has led to a rise in slider crimes. Thieves pull up behind the parked car as someone jumps out and runs up to the passenger side, opens the door and slides into the car looking to snatch a purse. As soon as you get into your car, lock those doors! To avoid being targeted do not have any identifying features on your car signifying that you are a female, or parent.
Be prepared, not scared. It is important to feel confident and prepared for whatever the day brings you. I have a degree in Behavioral Science, certified as a first responder and I am a self defense coach. Join me for monthly Beyond Survival seminars to learn more.