Toronto is a wonderful city to shop in at anytime of the year but it seems to be an extra special location during the Christmas Season. Store owners and Malls go to great lengths to decorate their stores for the festive season in the hopes of creating the Christmas spirit which in turn encourages the shopper to buy more. While overall it is a safe city there are some security tips that one can put into good use while shopping for the holidays in Toronto.
1. Don’t stock pile your vehicle. If you are the type of person that likes to shop all in one shot then chances are you are going to end up with tons of parcels. After hitting a few stores it can be pretty difficult to manage all those parcels. The first tendency is to just take them to the car then return for more shopping. Would be thieves count on this and will conduct surveillance outside of the shops and malls to target those who are doing this. There is a couple of things you can do. You can ask the sales clerk at each shop in the mall if you could leave your parcels and pick them up when you are done shopping. See if the mall you are shopping at offers a locker or check in service. If neither of these are options then plan on taking someone with you on your shopping excursion who can either help you carry your parcels, so remain in the vehicle with them once you begin to stock pile them there.
2. Don’t set your parcels down. Shopping can get pretty tiring no matter how much you enjoy it. You probably will want to stop in one of the food courts for a bite to eat. Be careful where you set your parcels. Ideally putting them under the table close to your feet is probably safer than putting them on a seat beside you where they can be easily snatched.
3. The same concept applies when you are checking out at another store. You may have several bags and need to set them down so you can access your purse or wallet to pay for the new merchandise. Again put them in front of you up firmly against the checkout counter at your feet. It makes it more difficult for a grab and snatch.
4. The shopping excursion doesn’t end at the mall. Once you get home you probably have a lot of monetary value in those gifts you just bought. Make sure they are kept out of plain site and be astute at using your home security system throughout this busy season.
