Black Friday is fast approaching. A day when stores worldwide offer great Black Friday deals, doorbusters, and special sales hours.
While Black Friday brings with it awesome deals for bargain hunters, the day can turn out disastrous due to frenzied and crushing crowds. In other words, the likelihood of suffering injuries as crushing crowds engage in dangerous shopping activities is often high.
But Black Friday doesn’t have to be disastrous for you. Here are tips to help you make the most of in-store Black Friday sales.
Stay Safe and Avoid Dangerously Crowded Situations
Store owners are required by federal and state laws to ensure the safety of in-store holiday shoppers. Most of them fulfill this legal obligation by implementing different crowd management measures such as:
- Using barricades or ropes to hold back unruly shoppers,
- Regulating the number of shoppers getting in the store,
- Using security personnel to man exits and entrances.
However, it is best to ensure your own safety by staying alert to traffic and avoiding crowded parking spots. More importantly, look before you step and avoid fighting your way through crowds.
You may also want to shop when stores have lesser crowds and shorter lines.
For instance, if the store opens at 7-9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, try visiting between midnight and 4 a.m. Additionally, instead of shopping at stores known for poor crowd management and longest lines, you may want to check out other alternatives that offer the same items but with lesser crowds and shorter lines. Doing this will help you avoid injuries that may result from Black Friday stampedes or car accidents in parking spots.
Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to make the most of in-store Black Friday sales is by planning ahead.
It would be best if you had a complete plan for the day. In other words, write down the deals you are hoping to get and the specific stores you hope to get them from.
You may also want to reserve shopping times and online waitlists if the stores you want to visit have booking platforms to facilitate crowd management. Doing this will help you stay organized and eliminate the possible stressors throughout the shopping day.
Protect Yourself From Theft
Thieves know that distracted shoppers make a good target and will be waiting for the best moment to strike.
The good thing is that you can avoid possible theft on Black Friday by parking in an area with security personnel in place. Additionally, do not hang your purse over a stroller or stuff your purchases in your trunk and return to the shop as thieves might be watching. If you have concerns about your safety, look for security personnel and ask them to escort you to your car or a safer spot.
Other ways to protect yourself from theft on Black Friday include:
- Avoiding large amounts of cash in your pockets, wallet, or purse when you are out shopping
- Concealing your purchases
- Being on the lookout for loiters or any suspicious individuals around your car
- Shopping in a group whenever possible.
Wrapping Up
Black Friday is an excellent day to grab awesome deals. However, these special offers are not worthwhile if you get injured or cause injuries to someone else. That is why you need to be kind to other shoppers, pay attention to your surroundings at all times, and do everything you can to protect yourself and other shoppers.
If you get injured on Black Friday or at any other time during the holiday shopping season, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you establish if you are eligible for compensation.