Black Friday Tips

Black Friday is just over a week away. Are you planning on braving the crowds to get some holiday deals? Well there’s a few things you should keep in mind before you go.

One:  Check out the ads before you shop. You can find some of them online already. Now is the time to compare prices and find out where the best deals are. Once you’ve found them, have a list of the stores you want to hit and the items you want to buy.

Two: Have a plan in place before you want to leave to shop. Know which stores you want to check out, and place them in an order. Some stores open Thanksgiving for a limited time before closing, some open Thanksgiving and stay open overnight, and some don’t open until Black Friday. Knowing store hours and doorbuster schedules is important to scoring the best deals.

Three: Check online sales before you go shopping. It’s possible that retail locations are offering the same deals, or even better, online. If the items you want are a better price online you can do all your shopping from home and avoid the crowds.

Four: If possible, avoid waiting in line for a store to open. Store openings have cause injuries and even deaths on Black Friday due to unruly customers trying to get to their sales. An easy way to avoid this is to start shopping several hours after stores have already opened. Besides, this means you can relax at home and finish up dinner instead of standing in a long line!  

Five: When you are physically in the store, be aware of your surroundings. It is often possible to notice if a situation is going to escalate. Watch for individual shoppers that are particularly loud, disruptive, angry, and rushed. One of these shoppers can spur on others. If you notice a disturbance in an area of a store starting, remove yourself from the situation and alert store staff or security.

Six: Practice car safety while driving and parking. It’s not worth the risk to race another car for a parking spot or to get through a yellow light. Actions like these are what lead to accidents. Keep in mind that while you are in parking lots, there will be a great deal of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. If you are driving always yield to pedestrians and vehicles. If you are a pedestrian do not trust cars to stop for you. Always be aware of what is happening around you.

Seven: Keep a close eye on your possessions while you shop. Black Friday is very crowded, and it makes it a prime time for thieves to try and steal your money, purchases, and even your identity. Carry a purse that zips to keep hands away from your wallet. Always keep your items you’ve purchased out of sight in your car. At the register, make sure no one near you is in a position to view your credit or debit card details.

Black Friday has become a tradition here in America, but never forget the risks involved when there are large crowds in small areas. Keep safe out there!