Who doesn’t love scoring great Black Friday deals?! While Black Friday Shopping may be a tradition (or at least a fun time) in your household, it’s important to remember that safety, not saving money, should be your top priority. Below, we’ve outlined our top tips for staying safe and secure while you shop online and in-store for Black Friday sales.
5 In-Store Black Friday Shopping Safety Tips
Know Your Store Hours
Safety starts with situational awareness. No one wants to show up outside a store at 4:00 a.m. only to find out the store is closed. Not only is it annoying (Who wants to wake up at 4 for no good reason?), but it can put you in a risky situation, alone and in the dark.
Likewise, you don’t want to be one of the last customers to leave the store with a cart full of goodies either. So before you go, make your shopping plan. Check the store hours online or on their social media page. This can help ensure that you don’t show up too early and end up waiting outside in a cold, potentially dangerous situation well before they open.
Hide Valuables and Park in Well-Lit Areas
Be sure to park in a well-lit area, like underneath or near a parking lot light pole. And if you’re walking to or from your car when it’s dark out, be sure to pay attention to your surroundings. Try not to be glued to your phone as you’re walking to the car. Instead, pay attention to who and what is around you. If you’re ever uncomfortable walking to your car, ask a friend to walk with you or even a store security guard.
Before you head into a store, make sure any valuables in your care are out of plain sight. If someone is scouring the parking lot for a car to break into, you don’t want your AirPods left in the center console, cash laying out, or your shopping bags in the front seat. Make sure that everything is well hidden to make your car a less likely target.
Consider Leaving Children At Home
Unfortunately, many other shoppers will be out on Black Friday. And they likely aren’t looking out for your children like you do. If you can, plan to leave the little ones at home to avoid the risk of your child getting lost or hurt while shopping.
Map Out Your Store Layout
The last thing you want is to be stuck in a crowd in the middle of the store if an emergency breaks out. If something were to happen, you need to spend your precious energy moving quickly to a known exit. Not trying to figure out how to even find the exit.
If you need to shop at multiple stores, take some time beforehand to learn an escape route. Hopefully no such event will have to take place. But it is better to be safe than sorry and have a knowledge of the store. That way you can move as efficiently as possible through the crowds in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Keep an Eye On Your Belongings
When shopping in big crowds, it’s easy to lose track of your belongings or accidentally leave them behind. Be sure to keep an eye on your purse and any bags you’re carrying so they can’t be easily stolen.
Also, consider limiting what you’re bringing with you into a store. The fewer critical items you bring with you, the less of a negative impact it’ll have if something were to happen. Debit cards, expensive jewelry, passports, and IDs may be better left somewhere safe.
4 Online Safety Tips for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Avoid Public Wi-Fi Hotspots
When you’re out on Black Friday, it may be tempting to squeeze in some quick online shopping while waiting in line for that peppermint mocha. However, you should avoid using public Wi-Fi networks to browse or shop online. Often, these networks are not secure and can leave your information vulnerable to hackers.
Keep Your Computer’s Security Software up to Date
Increase your home cybersecurity by ensuring that your computer has the latest security software installed and running properly. Many cybercriminals will try to gain access to your information by exploiting outdated software. Make sure you keep everything updated for a smooth, safe shopping experience.
Shop from Reputable Retailers
While many great deals are available on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, scammers will often try to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers by offering fake products or discounts. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Only purchase from reputable, encrypted websites. Look for certification seals, customer reviews, and legitimate corporate office addresses before checking out. This will help keep your payment information safe and give you peace of mind if you have to work through customer support issues.
Use Secure Passwords and Policies
For many of us, shopping online means creating and logging into accounts with different retailers. (How else are we going to earn those loyalty points, right?) As a best practice, make sure that all your online accounts have strong, unique passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
And remember to change your passwords regularly. Consider using a password management tool to help you keep track of your passwords.
With these safety tips in mind, you can safely and happily get your holiday shopping done while enjoying the Black Friday festivities! Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, make sure you take the necessary precautions to have a positive experience and protect yourself against potential scams.
And if you’re looking for ways to help keep your holiday gifts safe and secure after they arrive at your home, we can help. As one of the largest security companies in the United States, CPI has the equipment and expertise you can count on all year long. Learn more about how you can get a CPI home security system here.
