When holiday shopping it is important to plan ahead. With the rise of Covid cases, many stores are anticipating less in-store shopping and more online shopping. In anticipation of this and to decrease the amount of people in-store on a specific day, many stores have opted to spread out their Black Friday sales by having weekly and in some cases, daily sales. While this has lessened the chances of huge crowds gathering in-store on the Nationally known “Black Friday”, the potential of many shoppers gathering in-store is still a factor. If you plan to do your Christmas shopping in-store, be sure to do so in a safely. We have some helpful tips for you to assist with this.
STAY SAFE ON THE ROAD DURING THE HOLIDAYS: PLAN AHEAD
Plan for heavier traffic. Make sure you have a secondary route to and from your destination, alternate routes are available at Mapquest or Google Maps. You also want to check out the weather for that day. Take the weather into consideration when planning when you will be traveling to make your holiday purchases and to arrive safely. With more drivers on the road, certain weather conditions such as rain may cause delays in your travel. Plan to leave your house early to avoid being in a rush or having to be out and about while it is dark out as much as possible.
CHECK YOUR CAR TO AVOID ACCIDENT OR BREAKDOWN
Before you start your shopping excursion, always be sure to make sure your vehicle is good operating condition. You never want to have to stop in the middle of your shopping trip to have to maintain your vehicle. Some things you want to check are engine oil, other fluids in your car, air pressure in your tires, tire wear, the battery, and you always want to make sure that all of your lights are working. You don’t ever want to be left stranded with all of your purchased Christmas gifts loaded in your vehicle.
AVOID DISTRACTIONS TO PREVENT CAR ACCIDENTS
If you are unsure of how to get to where you are going, set your GPS prior to leaving your house. Minimize phone use by making sure your phone is synced up to your vehicle’s Bluetooth prior to leaving your home as well. Make sure to get plenty of rest the night before your shopping trip as fatigue causes distraction and irritation. Always make sure to stop to eat as well because we all know being “hangry” is a real thing and can be very distracting.
PACK ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR SHOPPING AS WELL AS INCASE OF AN ACCIDENT
With all the different changes in 2020, your essentials to pack for your shopping trip will have changed as well. Your list of items probably only consisted of things like:
- clothing
- snacks
- hand sanitizer
- face masks
- shields (extra masks/shields for your children)
- anti-bacterial wipes
- sanitizing wipes
PARKING LOTS CAN BE DANGEROUS
Remember that malls and shopping center parking lots are prime targets for car theft, and robberies. Always park in a spot where there is plenty of light and if possible, park close to your destination. Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with really tinted windows. Take note of where you parked and what store entrance it is closest to if parking at a mall or shopping center. Always double-check that all of your windows are closed and doors are locked. If you are making multiple stops, make sure to store your shopping bags in the trunk.
We have many years in handling personal injury claims and if you have been injured through no fault of your own, we can help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a free in depth personal injury consultation.
Mark Kaire has been practicing law in Miami for nearly 30 years. He is dedicated to helping the injured people of Miami receive compensation. Mr. Kaire has been blogging on Miami’s legal issues for many years.