Holiday Shopping and Travel Tips

Prepping for the Holidays can be hectic! With all the shopping, decorating, baking, parties and travels – OH MY! It can be quite overwhelming. Here are some tips to help make your holiday less stressful, productive and safe.

Shop Safely Around Town
• Shop during the day, or at night with a friend.
• Keep packages in trunk of car - out of sight!
• Recognize when you are rushed, distracted and stressed out, and stay alert to what is going on around you.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Consider carrying a security travel pouch instead of a purse or wallets, which are prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, bus stops, and at public transit systems.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• If a credit card is missing, notify the credit card company immediately. Don't assume that you misplaced it and will find it later.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion if you are approached.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists may try various methods of distracting you, including working in teams, with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

On-line Shopping Safety
• Shop at familiar well-known sites
• Secure site with HTTPS —instead of just HTTP. An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically to the left of the URL in the address bar or at the status bar down below.
• Don’t overshare! No online shopping e-tailer needs your Social Security number or your birthday to do business.
• Track packages online and confirm delivery. You can sign up for email notifications to track your packages from initial shipment to its destination.

More info at the National Safety Council; PC Magazine; ThoughtCo.com and The Hearty Soul

Traveling
• Traveling by car for the holidays? Remember to pack an emergency supply kit www.ready.gov/car 
• Traveling by Air? Check out TSA’s Checklist -https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist
• www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips
• Keep track of hazardous road conditions, in West Virginia, go to www.wv511.gov
• Are you taking your pets with you for the holidays? Add a few emergency items for your pets, like water and food www.ready.gov/pets

More info at: Ready.gov; AAA;  and the National Safety Council