Unless you want your holiday season to include becoming a victim, you should take a few simple steps to stay safer.

1. Regardless of the time of year people tend to keep too much out in plain sight inside their vehicles. People keep loads of spare change, mp3 players, expensive sneakers and even purses right out in plain sight. All this serves to do is entice criminals to break out your windows and reach in and grab your stuff since it only takes a few seconds.

2. Utilize the buddy system it is a good idea for more than one reason. If you must unload packages into your car be sure you have someone to either stay in the car or drive the packages back to your home. If done right you can safely knock out the holiday shopping for you and your 1 or 2 of your friends or family members

3. Never place packages inside the car if you can avoid it. Just covering things up with a blanket will not do enough to disguise your items and keep crooks away. The best place to place packages in your car while you finish shopping would be inside of the trunk. Just be very careful while unloading.

4. Carry some sort of key chain pepper spray or even a stun gun to ensure should something bad happen you have some sort of defensive weapon.

5. As you go to either get into or out of your vehicle, you need to be paying attention to who is in the parking lot with you. I personally know a man who just got jumped by 4 men a week ago. They severely beat and robbed him after he left a store and went to get into his car. If you feel weird or see anyone who makes you nervous, park somewhere else or leave altogether since it is better to be safe than sorry.

The biggest thing you can do to remain safe during this or any holiday season is to use your head for something more than just a hair holder!

A little common sense can go a long way to helping to keep you safe while you enjoy the holiday season.

Stay safe!

The Judge