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EVERY ORDER SHIPS FOR $10 OR LESS (continental US)
EVERY ORDER SHIPS FOR $10 OR LESS (continental US)
Whether you’re a shopaholic or not, malls can be a great place to spend time with your family or friends. And we all frequent the grocery store. But with the ever-rising incidences of thefts, assaults, and criminal activity happening in places like these today, it is important to keep safety top of mind.
Morris, one of our Ambassadors, shares some great advice for staying safe when you're at a mall or store in one of his Mojo Minutes:
Here are some more tips to help you stay safe at the mall while enjoying your shopping experience:
If you’ve read our other blogs you’ll see that situational awareness is a common theme throughout. Paying attention and being aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid (or at least reduce the chances) of finding yourself in an unsafe situation. It is important to pay close attention to where you are and who is around you.
When entering a store, identify the exits in case you need to leave quickly. Avoid distractions, such as texting on your phone, and have a plan in place the event you find yourself in an active shooter situation. If you feel uncomfortable trust your gut and leave. If you see something suspicious, don’t be afraid to report it to mall security or a police officer.
Adrenaline and fear can make it difficult to make important decisions on the spot. While it is unlikely that you’ll find yourself in a dangerous situation, such as an active shooting, it’s vital to have a safety plan in mind in the event something does happen.
This means knowing where your exits are and where to safely hide should the situation arise. If you’re unfamiliar with the shopping mall, consider consulting a map of the mall before you go.
When we asked some of our employees what their safety tip was, Katherine, Digital Growth Strategist, said she keeps in mind that most mall stores have a back area for employees that locks. Many open at the back to the outside, making that a quicker escape that running down the main mall hallway.
This is a big one when it comes to staying safe at the mall. Parking garages and parking lots are one of the most common places for criminal activity. In fact, 22% of all thefts and just under 10% of all violent crimes occur in parking garages.
Parking garages or lots are also a prime target for criminal activity against women. You can learn more about parking safety in another article from this series, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
Again, there is safety in numbers. In a group, you are a lot less likely to find yourself the victim of a crime. Criminals are looking for soft and easy targets. If you are shopping alone, make sure someone knows where you are and when you expect to return home.
When you're at a store, it's important to always keep your purse or bag close to you. This will help to deter thieves and pickpockets, who often target unsuspecting shoppers. Thieves are looking for easy targets and a quick get-a-way. It’s much harder to steal your bag or purse if it’s held close to your body.
When talking with our own employees at Premier Body Armor, Sullivan, Social Marketing Specialist, said her biggest tip was to keep her dominant arm free when she is carrying things around the store and to her car.
While not everyone chooses to carry a concealed weapon, there are a number of different personal protection equipment options that are available. Consider carrying pepper spray in your bag, or a personal alarm, which will alert anyone in the area that you need help. It has also become more and more common for people to wear or carry body armor or bulletproof inserts.
For many parents, shopping with their children becomes even more challenging. Bathroom breaks, boredom, and constant hunger are no longer top of the list of things to worry about. But how can you keep your kids safe while shopping at the mall? In addition to the above tips:
Staying safe at the mall is essential for anyone looking to do some shopping. By educating yourself on the tips to staying safe, you’ll be sure to have a comfortable and enjoyable time while at the mall.
Check out our complete safety guide to learn more tips for other everyday locations!
Written by Emily Johnson
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Victoria Addington
November 29, 2023
Thank you for the reminder to keep your purse or bag close to you when you are in a store. This would help to dissuade robbers and pickpockets, as you stated. I’ll definitely share this with my family to keep in mind since we have been discussing going to a mall to unwind and spend time together. I appreciate you sharing!
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