“It’s a busy time of year and distractions can put us at greater risk of problems. Fortunately, taking a few proactive steps can go a long way to keep you and your family safe” Valerie Wakefield, President/CEO

Are you getting ready to hit up the stores for Black Friday? It’s an exciting time for deals but it’s also a great opportunity for scammers and thieves.  So, whether you’ll be spending your hard earned cash in Boston, Providence, Hartford, New York City or elsewhere, there are a few safety tips that you should keep in mind:

Don’t be carrying large amounts of cash and flashing it around.
Shopping in numbers, this will help deter any thieves from mugging you while you’re carrying your purchases out of the store.
Ladies, don’t leave your purse in your shopping car, and, if you wear in on your shoulder, don’t leave it open.
Beware of strangers approach you for any reason. At this time of year, con artist may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
Do not carry multiple packages at once. Use will call and curbside package pickup service instead.  Ask mall or store security for an escort before leaving your shopping location.

While carrying your purchases to the car, you may want to remember these tips:

Park in well-lit areas, and report and suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
Reduce distractions, such as using cell phones, while walking to your car, especially at night.
Try not to carry a large number of packages with you. Keep a hand open and prepare to enter your vehicle.
Do not load packages in the trunk right before leaving your vehicle. Somebody could be watching.
Never leave personal items or packages in plain sight in your vehicle. This includes money (even loose change), credit cards, cell phones, laptops, tablets, purses, and GPS units.
Store valuables in the trunk of your vehicle, but to be safe you should run those items home and then come back and continue shopping.

For more information on our occupational health and safety consulting or training services please visit us at www.UnitedAllianceServices.com or you can e-mail us at safety solutions@UnitedAllianceServices.com or give us a call at 877-399-1698.