Ready for Life

I am usually running around getting prepared for my day each morning. Today, I stopped as I passed the TV to listen to the excellent tips on safety and how to protect yourself during the holidays. Great Advice like not carrying a purse, but a wallet on your body. Carry only the cash or traveler’s checks you will need for that particular day or shopping trip. Put all those extra credit cards and checkbook somewhere safe at home. Read the full article below or see the original at the link provided.

Read the article here  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/ChristmasCountdown/story?id=2725939&page=1

Excerpt from the tips are copied below.

Here are some of Stuber’s safety tips to make you a hard target:

1. Use your shopping cart to create a barrier between you and a criminal. For example, back into your car with the cart in front of you to use as protection.

2. Carry a little whistle. Blowing a whistle hard will attract more attention than screaming.

3. Consider carrying pepper spray, though Stuber warns that spraying can backfire if you’re not careful. If you spray someone and the wind is against you, it can hit you instead.

4. There’s safety in numbers so shop in a group. Thieves target the distracted solo shopper.

5. If you’re concerned about a situation, don’t be afraid to ask mall security for an escort to your car.

6. Don’t leave visible items in your car. If you make several trips to your car while shopping, you could move it to a different spot, so thieves don’t see your loaded car as a treasure chest.

7. Pare down! Carry a wallet in your pocket, not a purse. Take only the keys you need, not a huge key ring.

8. Just take a few checks, not your entire checkbook. You can transfer the information to your check register when you get home.

9. To deter pickpockets, take a small comb and put it sideways in your wallet with the teeth facing toward the top of your pants. If someone tries to pull your wallet out, the comb’s teeth will grab the pants and won’t come out.