Shopping Safety

Aprilnewbee wrote: With it being the holiday season, and after Sara's bag was stolen I thought we could all share some safety tips we use to help keep each other safe while shopping.
Here is what I do when I shop:

I loop the handle of my purse through the child safety seat of the basket, so noone can just walk up and take it if I turn my back, they have to mess with the seatbelt thing first.

I always find my car key before I leave the store, even during the day, and the first thing I put in the car is my purse.

Walk with confidence, most muggers won't go after a person with confidence because they are more likely to put up a fight, and scream.

Keep an eye on your surroundings, knowing where the exits are, and where security guards are will help if something does go bad.

Hope this helps you. I'll add more if I think of any.

Beth

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Thanks for that! But I always put the BABY in the car first before my purse. And when he's in the cart and we're in the parking lot, I always push the cart all the way to the door side of the car instead of leaving it in the back where you load the trunk. It freaks me out that someone is going to come plowing into my cart while I'm taking the baby out! Some people speed in parking lots! So there's another safety precaution.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I don't carry a purse.but I do have a mini car-freshener spray I carry in the diaper bag. I use it in bathrooms when I change a diaper...in the car.. and, since mace isn't legal here, I could use it AS mace.

Aprilnewbee replied:
That will probably be the case for me after my baby is born. This will be my first, so I am sure I am going to change somethings about my shopping. I was just trying to give some suggestions.
Beth

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
I agree that putting the baby in the car rather than leaving him in the cart is good... but how do you get the cart back to the rack? You don't leave the baby alone in the car, do you?

we usuallly load stuff in the trunk of the car... and keep the baby in the cart, next to us. That way, we could lock up, bring the cart back (with baby on board) then just bring the baby back to the car.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
If its just me shopping I park next to a cart corral usually on her side so I am right there, if DH and I are together one of us takes it back.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
We try to as well... but people are selfish..EVERYONE parks next to the corrall!!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
I'm one of those awful people who either leave the cart on the side of my car or I lock the car and take the cart to the corral.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Well for one thing I'm never putting anything on the bottom of the cart again! Strapping your purse or diaper bag to the safety belt thing is a good idea. So is finding your keys before you leave the store.

I also try to remember to look inside my car before I get in to make sure there's no one hiding in the backseat or something. And I like to lock the doors as soon as I get in - I don't usually remember that one though. I do put the key in right away though, because the horn won't work if the key's not in the ignition so if someone started causing trouble I could lay on the horn to scare them off.

I bring the baby with me to return the cart to the corral. I'm always afraid that I'll lock him in the car if I absentmindedly throw the keys in the car while I'm putting my bags in. A lot of the time my keys are in my diaper bag or if I'm holding them I sometimes throw them on the seat.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I must admit, I leave the cart in between the front bumpers of my car & the person in front of me when I am done unloading. Most of the time I have the girls with me, and they are far more important then taking the cart back to a corral across the lot. I also crank up, and put them in first and let them get settled, before I unload the groceries. People do speed up and down the aisles as if they don't know any better!

Another tip: If you are going to use cash, have an idea about not only how much you have, but how much your total will be. That way you are not exposing yourself with a bundle of cash when the total comes up. <<~~This may apply more to men when they pull out their wallets.

CantWait replied: When it comes to putting the cart back, I always park somewhat near the cart return, I lock the door with the kids in there and put it back. They're always within viewing distance.

I hate when people leave the cart inbetween cars, I think it's totally inconsiderate, especially if it accidently nicks the bumper as I've happen before. Who cares that I spent however many THOUSANDS of dollars for my car

My3LilMonkeys replied: If I am shopping alone with the girls at night I will wait until a group of people is coming out and try to walk close to them. Muggers, etc. tend to look for people who are alone.

Also, I always carry on a conversation with one of the kids as I'm walking - even if it's a one sided conversation. People are more likely to notice you if they hear you talking and the thieves will most likely go after someone who is less conspicuous (sp?)

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I could never leave my kids in the car alone... no matter if I'm only 10 feet away...
It only takes a few seconds for someone a few cars away to get on the other side of your car from you... jack the lock with a slim jim other means, cut the belt and snatch a kid.... I couldn't take the risk, personally... I'm probably way over paranoid, but whatever, it's just me.

Heck I don't even want em in the car in the summertime while we load the car with groceries... I don't want them to get severely dehydrated in the 5 minutes it apparently takes in car to get to the fatal point...

i don't even want the kids left alone in the house while the garbage is being taken out!!!!!

if dh forgets something and wants me to bring it to the car and I have the kids...forget it - he has to come in and get it himself

and I personally think it's totally rude to leave the cart in the space. Not only is it inconsiderate to the other cars it may accidentally roll and nick... but to the next person to want to park that has to get out, move the darn thing, then park. Drives me NUTS!!!


I'm not meaning offense to anyone... just btw..