How To Stay Safe and Avoid a Black Friday Shopping Injury

Black Friday is a great shopping event filled with deals and discounts. Although it can be a thrilling event, it also comes with potential risks and damage. From hyped-up, high-energy crowds, crowded stores, long lines, and slippery floors, your safety should be the number one priority. This guide will give you tips to help keep your Black Friday shopping experience safe, injury-free, and enjoyable.

Research, Prepare, and Plan Ahead

Researching, preparing, and planning ahead is very important to avoiding crazy situations that could lead to a possible injury. Sometimes, Black Friday shopping can be a spontaneous decision to make with your friends or family. Before heading out to shop, make a plan of which malls, outlets, or stores you’ll visit and have an idea of the deals you want to purchase. Familiarizing yourself with the malls and stores and walking through can limit any rushing or unexpected crowding as you try to find your deals.

Research and also If possible, try to visit stores when it is less busy. It will give you more peace of mind from the over crowdedness in the stores and reduce the risk of injuries.

Watch for Spills or Hazards on Floors

Wet floors and misplaced items can become slipping and tripping hazards. High-crowded traffic areas of people often lead to slippery floors and misplaced items, especially near entrances or popular aisles. Look out for “wet floor” signs, and if you notice a spill, notify an employee immediately to help prevent accidents.

According to a Lexington slip and fall lawyer Gary C. Johnson, many slip and fall injuries from Black Friday shopping occur often due to the store or other shopper’s negligence. Be alert and aware in busy sections where crowds of shoppers may have less room to navigate around hazards. Spills and hazards can cause more serious harm such as head and brain injuries, fractured bones, torn ligaments, and other injuries.

Be Mindful of the Crowds

Everyone knows that the crowds during Black Friday are the biggest pain for most shoppers. These crowds can be very unpredictable, so staying alert and giving others space when possible is essential. They usually surge and barge in the entrance when doors open. If you see a large crowd gathering and surging, consider moving to a less busy area or wait until the crowd dies down.

Try to avoid any pushing or shoving, as it can lead to tripping accidents or pile-ups. Have a safe following distance, especially near aisles or doorway entrances where sudden crowd movements can create hazards. Crowds are more than likely going to be very emotional and frustrated during their shopping. Stay alert of irate customers as they can act out of emotion and potentially cause injury to shoppers.

Keep Your Phone and Wallet Safe

Hold onto your phone and wallet and avoid carrying too many bags. In crowded environments with a lot of people, it’s easy to lose or misplace personal belongings. You can even get them stolen from another shopper if you are not fully paying attention.

Lighten Your Load

There are so many deals and discounts that a shopper can find throughout Black Friday. However, finding and purchasing those deals can have you carrying a lot of bags. Overloading yourself with bags can increase the chance of tripping, slipping, and falling. Only carry essentials to lighten your load. Lugging a heavy load especially when you feel rushed can lead to slipping, tripping, and injuries. Make frequent trips to your car to offload the items to make it lighter instead of carrying everything with you.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Be alert of where you’re walking and avoid using your phone. Many injuries happen when shoppers are so focused on their phones, purchases, or conversations that they don’t notice changes in the height of the floor, obstacles, or crowded areas. Try to avoid sudden stops in the aisles. Be aware of moving carts, displays, and other shoppers. Distractions like phones or focus on deals can lead to accidental bumps or falls.

Don’t Rush

Rushing can lead to poor decision-making and accidents. Although time-sensitive deals can create a sense of urgency, staying calm will keep you safer, and help you make better decisions, avoiding slips, falls, and other injuries. Many retailers offer online Black Friday deals that can save you from the rush altogether.

If you prefer shopping in-store, consider waiting for similar post-holiday sales when crowds may be lighter. Rushing can lead to car accidents in the parking lot. Many hit-and-run accidents have occurred from shoppers in a hurry to park and find great deals. Car crashes lead to the hassle of talking and going through insurance companies, which no one wants to worry about during the holidays. These accidents can not only cause vehicle damage, but they could potentially lead to personal injuries as well.

Enjoy Black Friday Safely

Black Friday is an outstanding time of the year for deals, but everyone’s safety should be a first priority. By researching, preparing, planning, staying aware, and prioritizing safe practices, you can avoid common injuries and make the most of your shopping experience. Remember that no discount or deal is worth risking your safety and well-being.