Tips for safe holiday shopping

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the shopping season, but it’s also a time when people are distracted and can become targets of crime.

The National Crime Prevention Council warns that “criminals love the holiday season especially because it is an opportune time for crime with more people shopping and traveling.”

With this in mind it’s no wonder that personal safety is cited as one of the main reasons for owning a cell phone. More than 300,000 emergency calls are placed daily from wireless phones.

“Wireless phones have greatly enhanced the ability for emergency personnel to act quickly. But people should still be aware of their surroundings and take precautions during this holiday season,” said Dee Taylor, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-Atlantic.

U.S. Cellular and The Virginia State Police offer the following shopping safety tips:
• Always carry a cell phone with you, but avoid using it while driving. Avoid talking and texting while driving. Always pull over to a safe, public and well lit area to use your cell phone.
• Program 911 and other emergency numbers on speed dial to quickly reach emergency personnel if the need arises.
• If shopping at night, go with a friend.
• If you must shop alone, leave your cell phone turned on and easily accessible.
• Virginia cellular users can dial #77 to reach the state police directly or to report highway traffic problems including crashes, disabled vehicles, suspected substance-impaired drivers, reckless or aggressive drivers.
• Add an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact to your cellular phone book. This will instruct rescue workers who to contact in case of emergency.
• Do not overload yourself with packages. This not only makes you a potential target for theft, but also limits your visibility and freedom of motion. Instead, make several trips back to your vehicle and conceal packages in the trunk or cover them with a blanket.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• If your cell phone or Blackberry is lost, notify your service provider immediately.

— Press release