Stay Safe on Black Friday With These Tips

Thanksgiving is next week! For most Americans, that means turkey, football and family. For some, that also means getting ready for Black Friday shopping. If you are one of those dedicated shoppers and deal seekers who will hit the stores for the best deals on Black Friday, it is important that you consider certain steps to keep yourself safe.

Since 2006, Black Friday has been responsible for 10 deaths and 111 reported injuries (relatively minor injuries are not likely to have been reported). From shootings and car accidents to brawls and pepper spray attacks, injuries and deaths are often very preventable. If you plan on heading out to the stores this year, we encourage you to be mindful and take extra precautions to keep you and your fellow shoppers safe. Keep in mind that a low priced television or video game console is never worth a person’s life.

Most Common Black Friday Injuries

• Fights: Concussions, broken bones and beatings
• Stampedes: Crushed organs, internal bleeding and broken bones
• Violence: stabbings, shootings and fist fights
• In-store injuries: Crushed by boxes and slammed by carts

Black Friday Shopping Safety Tips

Black Friday injuries and deaths can happen in the store, in the parking lot, on the sidewalk, or on the roads, which is why it is so important to be aware and as safe as possible. The holidays are an extremely stressful time of year, and Black Friday is just the tip of the iceberg. If you are going out shopping this year, pay attention to your surroundings, be kind to other shoppers, and do everything you can to protect yourself and others.

Make safety a priority this year by keeping these tips in mind when shopping on Black Friday.

While in the store…

• Never argue or fight over an item
• Never move large items on your own – ask for help!
• When shopping with children, designate a safe meeting place in case you get separated
• Keep your money in your wallet until it’s time to pay
• Take only one credit card to avoid having multiple cards compromised in the event of a breach
• Keep your receipts

When in the car…

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Always park your car in a well-lit area
• Look around and under your vehicle before getting in
• Keep any shopping bags out of sight if storing in the car
• Pay attention to other cars and people when backing out

It has become a yearly tradition for some people to line up hours before stores open in order to get the best deals on gadgets and gifts. While we all love a good deal, this tradition has gotten out of control in recent years, causing people serious harm and even death. If you are injured on Black Friday or at any other time during the holidays, please contact the Law Offices of Brent A. Duque.

We maintain a staff of a highly professional, knowledgeable, aggressive and successful Premises Liability Attorneys who represent injured people through our offices all across Southern California. Contact us today at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away.