How to stay safe as crowds of shoppers head to malls on Black Friday in North Jersey

Posted by author November 29, 2024 Shopping

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Thanksgiving is over which means that it is time for Black Friday shoppers to descend upon Garden State retailers and for holiday travelers to begin their journeys home.

With so many people out and about, things can get a bit crazy from crowded stores to packed parking lots and congested roadways.

Garden State Plaza appeared to be busy early Friday with cars lining up. Traffic delays of up to 10 minutes were reported on Route 17 and Route 4 in Paramus Friday afternoon, per the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Black Friday safety, in stores and on the roads

From cybersecurity issues to parking lot hazards, the buzz of holiday shopping can become quite dangerous.

“The holiday season brings excitement, but safety is key,” says the New Jersey State Police, which recommends that you follow these tips to ensure that your shopping experience is both safe and enjoyable.

Stay alert and aware, remaining mindful of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and parking lots. Avoid distractions like using your phone and park in well-lit areas, shopping during daylight hours when possible.
Protect your purchases by locking your car doors and storing shopping bags out of sight. Keep your personal belongings secure and close to your body and never leave items unattended.
Be cautious with personal information by avoiding the use of public Wi-Fi for online shopping or financial transactions. Stick to reputable websites for online purchases and monitor your financial statements regularly to catch unauthorized transactions early.
Limit the use of cash by opting for credit or debit cards. If you must carry cash, divide it into smaller amounts and store it in different places.
Report suspicious activity by contacting store security or local law enforcement if something feels wrong. Keep an eye out for unattended bags or unusual behavior and notify authorities if necessary.

AAA predicts record-breaking holiday travel

Congestion is expected to extend beyond the stores and onto the roads this holiday weekend with AAA predicting record-breaking numbers of travelers throughout the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board from driving to flying and cruising,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel.

AAA is predicting that a record 71.7 million people will travel by car over Thanksgiving, surpassing last year’s number by 1.3 million travelers. This number also surpasses pre-pandemic levels.

In addition to driving, AAA predicts that 5.84 million people will travel by air this Thanksgiving and 2.3 million people will travel by other modes of transportation including buses, cruises and trains.

The busiest post-Thanksgiving travel days will be Sunday and Monday, according to AAA.

Safety tips from the NJ State Police this holiday weekend

During the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday period, New Jersey saw 11 fatal crashes all of which were a result of impairment by drugs and alcohol, according to the New Jersey State Police.

“Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with millions taking to the roadways,” says the NJ State Police. “Our priority is ensuring everyone traveling through New Jersey arrives at their destinations safely. Drive responsibly and make safety your top priority this holiday season.”

Before heading out for your journey home, the NJSP recommends that you consider the following:

Fill up your gas tank
Check fluids including windshield washer fluid and antifreeze
Check tire pressure
Bring a mobile phone charger
Carry a flashlight with new batteries
Bring bottles of water and nonperishable snacks
Let someone know your travel plans
Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly
Plan to leave yourself more time to get where you are going
Don’t drive drowsy

The most important step you can take to ensure your safety and the safety of others, according to the State Police, is to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.