You’ve done your homework. You diligently searched the Internet for weeks searching for leaks of all the best deals. You mapped out a game plan for your family team of deal-seeking phenoms. And you’ve already put your game face on. That’s right. You’re ready to score on Black Friday. But what about your personal safety?
Every year, big deals make Black Friday shoppers go just a little bit crazy and injuries can and do happen, even to the savviest of shoppers. For the best Black Friday shopping experience, here’s a list of shopping safety tips you can add to your family’s game plan.
Even when you’ve got your eye on the prize, don’t take your eyes off the people around you. You never know when someone might be ready to cut in front of you, reach around you, or push past you. These actions could lead to a slip and fall accident or other incident that may cause injury.
Keep your cell phone handy in case something does happen and you need to get help right away.
Have a plan for your family to escape and meet at a designated location should something go wrong in the store and ensure that everyone understands that personal safety is more important than a smashing deal on a big screen television.
Keep your wits about you when you take out your wallet and when you’re walking back to your vehicle. Many injury incidents on Black Friday happen to unaware shoppers in parking lots who are robbed.
Consider shopping from the safety of your own home. Most Black Friday deals are not only available in store but online as well. Many big box stores, online shopping venues, and even bidding sites participate in Black Friday.
Do your shopping on another day. Black Friday deals are not just for the day after Thanksgiving anymore. If you’re able to do your shopping on the Saturday, Sunday, or Monday after Thanksgiving, you’ll be less likely to encounter a crowd and the injuries that go with crazed shoppers. Most stores have stock to cover these multiple days of sales or offer rain checks on most items so you don’t have to worry about them running out.
Remember, the most important thing to remember about Black Friday shopping is that most people snag their deals without incident. Leave your baseball bats and shoulder pads at home, stay alert, and get your game on.