Holiday Readiness: Staying Safe During the Busiest Time of the Year
The holiday season is one of the most energetic and chaotic times of the year. Between shopping, travel, gatherings, and last-minute errands, most people move through November and December in a constant state of divided attention. It’s a time when good moments happen, but it’s also a time when awareness tends to fade. Distraction creates opportunity, and the holiday season provides more of it than just about any other time of year.
Most incidents during the holidays don’t happen because people are unprepared. They happen because people are rushed, mentally elsewhere, or overwhelmed. Phones, packages, crowded stores, children, tight timelines, and fatigue all compete for attention.
A few simple habits dramatically reduce risk. When walking through parking lots, entering stores, or loading bags into your vehicle, take a moment to scan your surroundings. Keep your head up. Avoid walking while buried in your phone. Position your vehicle so you are not boxed in when parking. A few seconds of awareness can prevent hours or days of dealing with the aftermath of a theft, vehicle break-in, or confrontation. Criminals look for opportunity, not resistance. Awareness is often the difference between being selected and being passed over.
Each year, law enforcement sees predictable increases in car break-ins, package theft, purse and wallet grabs, fraud and distraction scams, and home burglaries when families travel. The reasons are simple. During the holidays, people are carrying more cash and packages, cars are filled with visible purchases, homes are left unattended, and individuals are mentally overloaded. Travel increases fatigue. Everyone moves faster and thinks slower. Through all of this, awareness remains the single most effective deterrent you have.
Many holiday thefts do not involve force. They involve opportunity. Something left unlocked, unattended, or visible. Bringing packages inside quickly, keeping shopping bags out of view inside your vehicle, parking in well-lit areas, and locking doors even for quick stops all reduce exposure dramatically. Avoid advertising travel plans on public social media and avoid predictable routines when you are away. If you are traveling, use timers for interior lights and pause mail and deliveries. Security is rarely about one big decision. It is about stacking many small, smart habits together.
Holiday travel itself does not have to feel stressful, but it should be intentional. Preparing your vehicle, double-checking locks and windows, storing valuables discreetly, and sharing your itinerary with a trusted contact before you leave all create a foundation of safety. During travel, keep essential items in your personal bag, avoid leaving belongings unattended, stay alert at gas stations and rest stops, and keep your phone charged and accessible. When you arrive at your destination, park in visible areas, keep luggage close, avoid revealing your room number in hotels, and trust your instincts if something feels off. The more you prepare ahead of time, the calmer the entire trip becomes.
Crowded public spaces introduce added risk during the holidays. Moving with purpose, keeping bags zipped and close, limiting how many packages you carry at once, maintaining appropriate distance in lines, keeping children within arm’s reach, and avoiding counting money or checking expensive items in public all reduce vulnerability. Criminals evaluate how distracted you are long before they act.
Foot traffic also increases significantly during November and December. Deliveries, donations, fundraising, holiday sales, and seasonal visits put more strangers at your door. Confirm who is there through a camera or window, do not open the door for unexpected visitors, keep porch lights on, and never assume a uniform means legitimacy. Even though a door is not impenetrable, it is a barrier; treat it like one.
Holiday scams climb sharply this time of year, especially those built on urgency. Package delivery failure messages, fake charity requests, fraudulent holiday discounts, gift card payment scams, and impersonation calls claiming emergencies are all common. If something feels off, slow down and verify before reacting. Pressure is a tactic used to override good judgment.
Preparation is more than owning a tool. It is knowing how to think, move, and make decisions when stress is high and time is limited. Less-lethal options, defensive tools, situational awareness, and clear verbal boundaries all work together to create layers of protection long before physical force ever becomes necessary. The ability to recognize danger early, manage fear, make sound decisions under pressure, understand the legal landscape, and create distance when needed are skills that serve people year-round. The holidays do not change these realities. They simply make them more visible.