MAIF Offers Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Holiday shopping can be stressful and frustrating enough, without any help. Throw in the added hassle of arguing over parking spaces, fender benders, vehicle break-ins, and even car theft, and surviving the holiday shopping season can turn the cheeriest Who in Whoville into a Grinch.

Here are some tips for staying safe and preventing theft during this holiday season from our own Mike Vukovan, Manager of MAIF’s Material Damage Unit (which also deals with vehicle theft) and Joe Asplen, Manager of our Special Investigations Unit and member of the Maryland/DC Anti Car Theft Committee and the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council.

Parking lot traffic: Breathe. It isn’t worth getting into a fender bender, a holiday cheer-draining shouting match…or even worse, a fight…over a parking space. Before you venture out, prepare yourself. Expect the parking situation to be stressful. Don’t assume that car backing out can see you. Don’t be surprised when another car ignores that you were clearly waiting for the parking spot they just took…And no matter how upset someone may make you, never get out of your car to confront them. There’s always another parking space available somewhere in the parking lot. The amount of time it takes to find a new spot is nothing compared to the time it will take to deal with mall security or police if you and another driver get into an altercation.

Save the texts for inside: Remember, it’s illegal to text and drive in Maryland. Between pedestrians loaded with bags, kids running through the parking lot, cars pulling out without looking, and a higher than normal volume of traffic, the mall parking lot is hazardous enough. Don’t make the situation more difficult by texting. Even while walking into or out of the store, texting puts you at risk of being hit by a car or even robbed, as thieves look for easy, distracted targets. Keep yourself safe by paying attention in the parking lot, whether you’re behind the wheel or walking.

Park in well-lit areas: The closer we get to the holidays, the earlier the sun sets. The well-lit spot you park in at 2:30 in the afternoon might be in the dark when you return a couple hours later. Keep in mind how long you plan to shop, and park accordingly, if possible. Aside from personal safety, parking in well-lit areas can help avoid fender benders as you try to pull out of your space.

Can you see the gift in your back seat? So can a thief: Don’t leave gifts or other valuable items visible in your car. If you can see it from outside the car, so can anyone else walking by. Even though you may take your wallet out of your purse, if it’s still visible in the car, someone may try to break in and take it. Even if they don’t get away with your wallet or gifts, fitting the replacement of a broken window into your already busy holiday schedule can be a hassle. Put bags, purses and any other valuables in the trunk. If you can’t fit them in the trunk, bring a blanket to cover them. And plan your purchases…try to buy the largest item last so that once you have it in the car, you can head home.

Move your car: No one likes to fight through mall crowds while weighed down with bags. Often, shoppers will return to their cars, drop off their bags, and go back to shopping. If you do this, you should consider moving your car to a new space. Often, thieves will sit and watch for someone to drop gift bags into their car or trunk then return to the mall. Once out of sight, the thieves will break in and take the items. You may not want to deal with parking again, but it’s worth it to protect your purchases. And who knows…you may find a better spot!

Shop with friends: There’s strength in numbers. Team up when you go shopping, and you can help each other stay safe going to and from the car. Besides, as busy as holiday schedules can be, this is also a great way to spend some quality time with your friends or family.

Shop light: Try not to carry  too many things at a time. If you’re juggling bags from five stores, your purse, a large-skinny-triple-foam-peppermochacino-latte, and your phone, you make an easy target for the thief who wants to snatch a bag or purse (or, for some odd reason, your latte). You may want to leave the purse behind and just carry the necessary credit cards and cash in your pocket.

Never leave your car running: No matter how quickly you think you can get in and out of a store, never leave your car running. Aside from being a theft risk, it’s illegal in Maryland to leave an unattended vehicle running.

Valet keys: There’s been a recent rise in thefts due to valet keys. New cars often come from the dealer with the valet key located inside the owner’s manual, which most of us never take out of our glove compartment. A quick pop of the door lock and a check of the glove box for a valet key, and your car may not be there when you return. Make sure to check your owners manual for a valet key. If you have you, find a new place to store it.

Don’t invent your own parking space: The architects who design mall parking lots know exactly how much space is necessary for a car to turn out of a parking row without hitting anything. When you create a new spot at the end of a row, you encroach on the travel lanes and put your car and others’ at risk of being hit. Many malls will have local police come and ticket or even tow those offenders who create their own spaces. Save yourself the headache and make the extra couple laps around the lot to find a real space.

And the simplest tip of all…don’t forget to lock your car.

We wish you all a very safe and low-stress holiday season.

We’d also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Joe Asplen, who helped with this post, on his coming retirement from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. On behalf of MAIF, Joe has worked with many local, state and national insurance fraud and anti-theft organizations to help raise awareness and combat theft here in Maryland. Thank you, Joe.