Christmas is the time for giving! The Salvation Army’s bell ringer is almost “pavlovian” to our ears, reminding us that it is better to give than to receive. It also should remind us that not everyone is fortunate enough to afford buying gifts. And desperate times call for desperate measures. During busy holiday shopping, cars left in parking lots can become treasure troves for thieves. Keep your purchases out of sight. Here are a few holiday car safety tips to help you to get through your season with all of your gifts and to keep your “joy” intact.
• Lock shopping bags in the trunk. If you don’t have a trunk, use a cargo cover or even a dark blanket. Cover everything before you drive to the next shopping location.
• If you have expensive purchases like big-ticket items, or if you have completed your shopping list, drop your gifts off at home. Taking a few extra minutes to do so may save you hours of laboring away at your job to make enough money to purchase those gifts all over again.
• Use compartments that keep things out of sight, like your glove compartment or console. If they are lockable, lock them.
• Use the valet parking service whenever available. This is convenient in so many ways. Plus, it will ensure that there are no shopping cart dings and safer for you than parking far away from the shopping entrance. It is also good to have a valet key handy.
• Use your remote door lock. This also serves to minimize chances of someone jumping in the passenger side.
• Use your back-up cameras and mirrors when parking. But don’t make the mistake of only using your back-up camera. Get a full picture of what is around your car, like stray shopping carts and stray kids.
• Try to back into parking spaces so it is more difficult for someone to open your hatch-back. This also makes it easier to exit in heavy holiday traffic.
• Keep your phone in your hand so you can call for help if you need it. And keep your keys in the other hand, with the sharpest, longest, most pointy key secured between your fingers to jab anyone that may try to snag your bags. Or carry mace on your key fob.
Again, desperate times call for desperate measures. If you have it to give, please visit one of the following websites to donate what you can so that other, less fortunate people can enjoy Christmas too.
support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate
donate.cancer.org/
www.stjude.org/
inspiredgifts.unicefusa.org/Children/Donation
Until next week…Have a Happy and Safe Holiday!
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Holiday Car Safety Tips – Comedy Defensive Driving