While shopping for great deals on Black Friday or searching for that perfect Christmas gift can be fun, many of those heading to the stores this season will find themselves the victim of a crime.

Elizabethton Police Department Capt. Shane Darling recommends shoppers remember some basic safety tips to help protect them and their families.

Holiday shopping can also be hectic and chaotic.  During the chaos, it’s easy to get distracted, so it’s important to be mindful of a few safety tips to keep yourself safe and avoid becoming a victim. Here are a few tips to keep both you, and your finances safe:

Shopping in stores:

• Shop with a friend or family member: two sets of eyes are better than one.  If you’re with someone and you can keep an eye on each other, you’re less likely to be the victim of a theft.

• Never leave your purse, or wallet in a shopping cart:  Just a moment of distraction can allow an opportunity for those items to be stolen.

• Wait until asked before taking our your credit card of check book: This reduces the likelihood someone can get your account numbers, or skim your card.

• Carry your purse close to your body, or your wallet in a front jacket or pants pocket

Shopping with children:

• Keep an eye on your children. Maybe they think they’re too old to hold your hand, but one day they’ll understand why you did.

• Make a plan in case you get separated. Have an open public place in the store your children your children know to go to if they were to get separated.

• Make sure your children understand what security guards and police officers are there for.  Make sure your children understand that if they’re ever lost or need help that they can approach a uniformed officer for help.

• If your children are small enough to sit in a shopping cart or stroller, that’s the safest place for them to be. It’s understandable that they get tired and frustrated, so try to keep shopping trips with children short enough so they don’t get overly tired.

Online shopping:

• If you shop online, consider an alternative payment method such as a prepaid credit or debit card.  Be cautious about putting your credit or debit card number online

• Make sure if you shop online that your computer’s security software is up to date.

• Keep your personal information private and your password secure. Do not respond to unsolicited emails trying to confirm personal or financial information.

• Make sure a website is secure and reputable before entering your financial information.  Look for a  locked padlock icon at the bottom of the screen, or “https” in the URL address.

According to Darling, some of these tips and more can be found on the National Crime Prevention Council’s website at: www.ncpc.org.