Awareness Safety Tips While Out Shopping

• Always know where the nearest exits are in the case of an emergency. Evacuation should be your first priority in the event of an incident occurring.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. It’s easy to get distracted with things to do while shopping. 
• If you have to use an ATM machine while shopping, be sure to check/pull on the area where you insert your card. Thieves have been placing skimmers on the machines where they can gain access to your credit card account. 
• Always park your vehicle in well-lit areas if possible. Be sure to look around and inside your car as you are approaching it. Females shopping alone should take full advantage of asking security personnel for an escort to their vehicles, especially at night.
• Never leave valuables in plain view of your vehicle. Items such as shopping bags should always be placed in the trunk of your vehicle. 
• When returning to your car from shopping lock the doors and depart because you don't want to linger too long in the parking lot. 
• Cell phones play an integral piece in our lives today so be mindful of not allowing cell phone conversations, text messaging, or even headphones and music to be a distraction to you while you are shopping or walking back to your car.
• If you can, try to keep your cell phone on you, in a pocket, or in your hand – this way if your purse is snatched you will still have your cell phone to communicate.
• Always be in possession of your bags/purse while shopping. The perfect scenario is not to carry a purse or pocketbook at all. Always keep your cash/cards in your front pocket (not in a back pocket) if possible. 
• If possible, always shop with a friend/friends. You're more likely not to be a victim of a crime because you're safer with more than one person.
• If you're shopping with small children never let them wander away and keep them secured in their stroller. 
• Children should be taught to know their full name, address and phone number as early as possible in the event they get separated or lost. However, If a child is too young to remember this information parent should place their cell number in the child's pocket.
• Adults should always accompany children to the bathroom when in public places. Do not leave children alone while using the restroom.
• Escalators are commonly used in shopping malls. Children should always be monitored while on escalators and clothing items such as untied shoelaces or any dangling items should be secured. 
• Keep in mind, that all escalators should have an emergency stop button at the top and bottom where someone can press the red button immediately if something gets stuck.

Stacey Porter is a high-level security professional leader with more than 20 years of federal experience managing security personnel in the aviation and security industry. He has a broad background in vulnerability assessment and mitigation, security planning, threat, and risk assessment, and investigative management operations. Excellent communication skills with the flexibility to adapt to constantly shifting security priorities.