Staying Safe During The Holiday Season: Simple Ways to Protect Yourself and Others

The holidays bring joy, connection, and moments we look forward to all year. Families gather, communities celebrate, and stores fill with people searching for the perfect gifts. It should be a season of warmth and good memories, not fear or risk. Yet this time of year also brings crowded parking lots, long lines, and a level of distraction that can make you vulnerable if you are not intentional. Criminals understand that shoppers are often rushing, overloaded with bags, or moving from store to store without paying attention. That is why a small commitment to awareness and wise habits goes a long way in staying safe during the holiday for you and those around you safe.

At Clinger Holsters, we believe the best approach to safety is rooted in humility, preparation, and a mindset that considers the well-being of others. That principle applies to holiday shopping, to concealed carry, and to everyday life. When you stay alert and grounded, you are better equipped to protect yourself, your family, and anyone who may cross your path.

Below are simple, practical habits that can make a major difference while you are out shopping and when you return home. These recommendations and common-sense practices are used by responsible concealed carriers across the country.

Stay Aware From the Moment You Leave Your Car

Most holiday related incidents happen long before you walk through the front doors of a store. They happen in parking lots. You can reduce your risk greatly by being fully aware the moment you step out of your vehicle.

When you park, take a second to scan your surroundings. Look at who is nearby, who might be sitting in a vehicle, or whether anyone is lingering where they should not be. Walk confidently and keep your head up. Try not to check your phone while moving through the lot. A calm and focused demeanor signals that you are paying attention and not an easy target.

If anything feels wrong, listen to your instincts. Maybe someone is sitting in a parked vehicle watching people come and go. Maybe someone is lingering near your aisle of cars without a clear reason. You never owe anyone an explanation for waiting a moment, choosing a different aisle to walk down, making a loop around the lot, or even returning to your vehicle to reposition. Trusting your instincts can prevent trouble before it starts.

Situational awareness is your strongest tool. Your firearm is a last resort. Your awareness is the first line of defense. Simply noticing a problem early can help you avoid it completely.

Make Smart Parking Choices

Your parking spot can either work for you or put you at a disadvantage. Choose well-lit areas with steady foot traffic. Avoid dark corners and remote sections of the lot. The closer you are to the entrance, the more likely you are to be surrounded by people coming and going. Visibility is one of the simplest safety barriers you can create.

When you return to your vehicle, stay alert to everything that is happening around you. Your awareness of your surroundings matters far more than the packages in your hands. If you notice someone walking toward you, someone waiting between vehicles, or someone sitting with the engine running and windows down, take a moment to assess before approaching your vehicle. You can always wait for others to pass by or ask store staff for a security escort if something does not feel right.

Before going into the store, take a few seconds to secure your vehicle. Lock your doors, roll up the windows, and hide any valuables. Anything left in plain sight, even something you might not consider valuable, can motivate someone to check door handles. Placing items in your trunk keeps your vehicle from becoming a target.

Keep Your Hands Free and Stay Mobile

Holiday crowds are full of distractions, and criminals know this. If your arms are full of bags or boxes, you will naturally pay less attention to your surroundings. If you find yourself juggling too much, take a break and unload some items into your trunk before moving on to the next store. Keeping one hand free whenever possible gives you room to respond if someone approaches you or if something unexpected happens.

Carry your wallet or purse in a way that keeps it close to the front of your body. This keeps it secure and within your field of vision. It also keeps your balance and mobility steady, which matters more than most people realize.

Consider how your carry method might be affected by heavy coats, layered clothing, or large shopping bags. Cold weather clothing often adds extra fabric that can block access to your firearm if you are not prepared. Before heading out, check your setup at home. Practice clearing your cover garment with the coat or jacket you plan to wear. Make sure your holster is secure and accessible and that you can safely draw if needed.

Carrying light helps you stay mobile. Staying mobile helps you stay safe.

Shop With a Partner When Possible

It is always safer to shop with someone you trust. A partner makes the entire experience more enjoyable and adds a second set of eyes and ears to your environment. While one person watches for oncoming vehicles, the other can load bags. While one stands in line, the other can monitor surroundings. A shopping partner reduces your vulnerability and gives you more opportunities to stay alert.

If you must shop alone, especially after dark, do not hesitate to ask store staff for a parking lot escort. Many retailers provide this service. It is intended to help protect customers during busy seasons when risks are higher. There is no downside to using it.

For concealed carriers, having a partner also means someone else understands your role and your responsibility. If you are carrying a firearm, it is wise to shop with someone who knows you carry, understands your mindset, and knows your goal is to avoid conflict whenever possible.

Manage Distractions Inside the Store

Holiday shopping often involves large crowds, long lines, and a lot of noise. This is the kind of environment that can pull your attention in too many directions. While browsing shelves, checking off lists, or comparing prices, it is easy to stop paying attention to the people around you.

Try to stay aware of who is near you and who may be watching your movements. If someone seems to follow you from aisle to aisle without showing interest in the store itself, you may want to step away, find another aisle, or approach customer service.

Inside crowded stores, the goal is not to confront suspicious behavior. The goal is to avoid it. Your firearm is there to stop a threat only when absolutely necessary. Awareness can help you identify and avoid strange behavior long before it becomes a risk.

Keep Your Home Looking Lived In

Many people forget that holiday safety starts long before you leave home. A house that looks empty becomes an easy target. Leave a light on and make sure all doors and windows are locked. If you have holiday deliveries arriving, bring them inside as soon as possible or ask a neighbor to pick them up if you will be gone for several hours.

Avoid leaving large empty boxes by the curb. A television box or gaming console box signals to anyone driving by that something expensive has just been brought into your home. Break down boxes and hide them inside bags or recycling bins instead.

If you bring home a big ticket purchase after shopping, take it inside right away. Leaving valuable items in your vehicle overnight is never a good idea. Even garages do not provide complete protection from someone motivated to break in.

Concealed Carry Considerations for the Holidays

Carrying a firearm during the holiday season comes with unique challenges. Heavy coats, gloves, holiday crowds, and physically demanding shopping trips all affect how you carry and how you respond.

Here are key reminders for concealed carriers:

1. Check your gear before leaving the house.
Make sure your holster is secure, your firearm is in proper working condition, and your clothing choice will not prevent you from drawing safely. Winter clothing can add seconds to your draw time if you are not prepared.

2. Avoid printing in tight spaces.
Crowded holiday stores create many close contact situations. A high quality holster like the IWB Hinge Holster, GearX Holster, or Axis Tuckable Holster helps keep your firearm tight against your body. This prevents printing and maintains both concealment and comfort.

3. Keep your hands free whenever possible.
If you are carrying, you want at least one hand available. Bags, drinks, and bulky coats can prevent you from responding quickly if a situation escalates.

4. Know your environment.
Before entering a store, mentally note exits, high traffic aisles, and areas where people tend to crowd. Awareness is not fear. It is preparedness.

5. Remember that avoidance is your first strategy.
Your goal as a concealed carrier is not to insert yourself into confrontations. It is to stay safe, protect your loved ones, and avoid danger whenever possible.

6. Keep family members close.
If you have children with you, set up simple rules for sticking together. You cannot protect what you cannot see or reach.

7. Stay calm and patient.
The holidays strain patience. Long lines, rude shoppers, and tense moments are normal at this time of year. Staying calm helps prevent any escalation that could put you and others at risk.

A Mindset of Protection and Service: Staying Safe During the Holiday

Holiday safety is not only about avoiding danger. It is about approaching the season with a steady heart and a clear purpose. When your mind is calm and your senses are engaged, you create a safer environment for everyone around you. Your actions can positively influence your family, your community, and even strangers who never know how much they benefited from your awareness.

At Clinger Holsters, we believe protection is a responsibility that requires humility and intention. This season, carry that mindset into every store and every parking lot. Stay alert. Stay prepared. Stay kind. And above all, stay safe so you can enjoy the moments that matter most.

Sources

Hoover Police Department. Holiday Safety Tips.
https://hooverpd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/HolidayTips.pdf

CCW Safe. Holiday Safety Tips for Staying Safe During the Season.
https://ccwsafe.com/resources/holiday-safety-tips/