Safer, smarter holiday shopping.

Good Neighbor Tips from Erin Doan, State Farm Insurance, Scottville, www.erindoan.com. 

The busiest shopping weekend of the year has arrived. If you’ll be joining the crowd of more than 140 million Black Friday shoppers, take some extra precautions to protect yourself, your purchases and your personal information.

In the Store

From fistfights to identity theft, Black Friday shopping brings a few safety risks. Consider these holiday shopping safety tips:

•Keep your purse close to your body or your wallet in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket.

•Don’t argue or fight over an item.

•Don’t take your money out until asked to do so.

•Use only one credit card. Remember the 2013 Target breach? Should something similar occur, you can reduce the risk of having multiple cards compromised.

•Save your receipts and monitor your credit card activity.

•Ask for help moving and loading large items if needed.

•If shopping with children, select a central location to meet in case you are separated. Teach kids how to ask a security guard or employee for help if they’re lost.

In the Car

With so many people out and about, you may encounter some aggressive drivers on the road. Don’t add to the problem: Remember to drive defensively and curb your road rage. Parking lots can be dangerous too, so be on guard:

•Be patient when looking for a parking space. Don’t speed up to catch that empty (or soon-to-be empty) spot, and be cautious of other drivers who do.

•Park your vehicle in a well-lit area.

•Look around and under your vehicle before approaching it.

•Store shopping bags in your trunk and out of plain sight.

•Look for other cars or people, and back out slowly.

On the Internet

Opting to join Black Friday or Cyber Monday from your couch? You still need to be on the lookout. Stick to retailers you know, and never commit to a deal that seems too good to be true. Visit the State Farm^® Learning Center for more online safety tips.