The busiest weekend of the year has finally arrived. As thousands of people get ready to start taking advantage of all the specials, we should consider the crowds. Between the long lines, the running-out-of-stock items, and the struggle of finding a parking spot, suffering from an insurance incident can ruin all the fun. This is why we are sharing some Black Friday safety tips that should keep your shopping spree a claim-free one.
There might be as many risks as there are discounts in the stores during the weekend. Thus, we must be mindful of all those risks in order to avoid them. Unfortunately, the risks don’t end there, as roads and parking lots might bring potential perils, too. Even if we decide to stay home and shop online instead, there might be several cyber threats that could ruin the fun for us. However, if we follow these Black Friday safety tips, we’ll be able to fully enjoy our shopping spree without having to worry about liability.
When You’re at A Store
It’s easy to become a bit desperate when we try to shop for our holiday presents at the best possible price. After all, that’s one of the main purposes of Black Friday. Finding stores as crowded as a rock festival is just as easy. Therefore, we must take some safety measures before visiting our local retail store.
Always remember to keep your belongings close to you, whether you’re carrying a bag, a purse, or a wallet. Also, remember to remain calm at all times and avoid arguing with people. Reports of fistfights and even shootings are, unfortunately, not uncommon during this weekend. If we’re buying with a credit or debit card, try to use only one for your purchases. Cases of identity theft, scams, and fraudulent charges are also quite common during this time of the year.
When You’re Driving
Because potential risks are not over once we get out of a store, we should be careful when driving, too. First of all, we must be patient when looking for a parking spot and be aware of other drivers. Everybody will be looking for the best spot, so keep that in mind and plan ahead.
Also, don’t leave your bags or any other belongings in plain sight and put them in the trunk, instead. Lastly, be particularly aware of any pedestrian near or behind your car. Remember that we have a responsibility as drivers, and shoppers do tend to get distracted. It’s always better to wait before moving than hitting a pedestrian and having to deal with the aftermath.
If You Decide to Shop Online
A very smart alternative to avoid the crowds and potential risks of Black Friday is staying home and buying online. This comes with several benefits as many stores and brands offer special deals through their online stores. Even though we might avoid making lines and dealing with crazy crowds, there are some Black Friday safety tips for online shopping we shouldn’t forget.
To begin with, we should only buy on websites that use a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) system. This means they encrypt all data, which will protect sensitive card information. You can identify these sites through the image of a lock that displays on the left of the web bar. Also, make sure you are using a private connection and not a hotspot, or public one.
Last but not least, keep an eye to anything that might seem risky or suspicious. Scam emails, fake apps, and fraudulent websites might look quite convincing at first, but there’s always a detail that gives them away. So, remember to stay alert, and never buy through sites or apps you don’t recognize.
