Will Airports Be The Next Trend For Shoppers?

What do we mean by this? Well, have you heard of the Mexican woman that has been basically living in the Cancun airport since June 30th, 2013?

A female passenger walks through
the Cancun airport terminal. (AAP)

Her name is Marcela Silvia Montano Mancera and she's not poor, she has been withdrawing money from teller machines. Marcela eats, sleeps and bathes at the airport. She has been approached by airport officials, but they by law, can't make her leave the Mexican airport. According to them, she hasn't begged for money, or committed any crime, so they are unable to force her out!

OK ladies, will airports be the next trend for us women? The "Marcela Silvia Montano Mancera" shopping trend for women? Might be pricey but heck, you won't have to pay to clean yourself and you can shop and eat, 24-7! Perhaps once you have checked out all the merchandise, you can just jump on another plane with a destination to Milan! There, you can check out some of the latest Italian fashions and proceed to the next airport in Paris! Marcela Silvia Montano Mancera might be the next example of "extreme shopping" for women. I say lets become her fans and follow in her shopping footsteps... Just kidding!

Seriously though, she might have some kind of mental issue. Mexican authorities should have a doctor see her. Perhaps diagnose her condition and send her to a hospital, or maybe a mall!

Source: Yahoo! News

Holidays are for Burglars & Pickpockets Too!

Photo by teachernz

That's right. Burglars and pickpockets have a great time during the holidays too. In fact, the holidays are the best time of the year to sneak into homes or pickpocket in malls. The problem for the rest of us is that we seldom think about this threat because we are too busy planning and buying gifts! But this year, let's make it a point to deter burglars and thieves.

Best thing to have for your home, especially if you are going away for the holidays, are digital timers. Get yourself a few of them and place them around your home. These nifty digital timers will make your house or apartment, seem like it is occupied, by turning lights on and off automatically, during the evening. Burglars like dark houses and avoid ones that look like people might be walking around in them. Digital timers can turn your lamps, TV, stereo, Christmas tree, etc., on and off, making burglars think twice, before they try to enter your home.

Pickpockets are everywhere especially during the holidays. One thing you should try to avoid are very crowded situations. This is heaven for pickpockets, because they can rub against you while at the same time, take your wallet or an item from your purse. Best thing to do if you are going shopping for many items, is to take the least amount of things with you. If you have buttoned or zipped pants or shirts, wear them when you shop. Placing your credit cards or money in hard to access pockets deters pickpockets. Avoid using backpacks while shopping. These are just invitations for thieves. Plus make sure never to leave a shopping bag unattended!

If you want to read more about preventing crime, visit our website's Safety Tips!

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Not a year goes by when you don't hear in the news that someone was robbed or assaulted around the Holidays. Most of the time it happens in shopping center or mall parking lots! What you don't hear are suggestions on how to avoid these types of crime. Below are a few safety tips to keep in mind while you go shopping this Holiday season.

Shopping Safety Tips

• Try to go shopping during daylight hours. If you have to shop at night, try taking a friend or relative with you.
• If you go shopping at night or know it will be dark when your done shopping, try to park your car in a well lit area and not behind bushes or where your car is obstructed from plain site.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or restraining clothes. You should be comfortable while shopping and able to move quickly if need be.
• Try not to use large amounts of cash, use credit cards or checks if possible.
• Keep your money or credit card in your front pocket instead of a purse or wallet.
• If you carry a wallet or purse, be very aware of possible pick-pockets.
• Try not to do all your shopping on one trip, excessive amounts of shopping bags are very hard to manipulate and keep track of.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason, even if it is to hand you a flyer. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
• If it gets dark outside when you are done shopping, try to get an escort or security guard from the store to walk you to your car. If this is not possible carry a self defense product with you and have it ready when you go toward your car.

Keep these safety tips in mind throughout the the whole year and not just while shopping this Holiday season.

Safety Tips for The Holidays

Shopping Safety Tips

• Even though you are rushing and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. If possible, park your car in an area of high pedestrian activity. Avoid remote areas.
• Lock your car and close the windows, even if you are only gone for a few minutes.
• Lock your packages out-of-sight in the trunk. Place your valuables in the trunk before you get to your destination, not after, a thief may be watching.
• Be sure and lock your car, many opportunists simply look for unlocked cars.
• Always report a theft to the police.
• Teach your children to go to the store clerk and ask for help if you become separated while shopping. They should never go to the parking lot or the car alone.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible; and if the credit card receipt has carbons, ask for these too. Notify issuers immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen, or misused.
• Be extra careful with purses and wallets. They may become targets for crime in crowded shopping areas, at bus stops, and on public transportation.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

Home Safety Tips

• At home, be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes. Leave lights and a radio or television on so the house looks occupied. Do not put large displays of holiday gifts in view of your windows or doors.
• If you go away for the holidays, try to keep your home appearing "lived in": Get an automatic timer for your lights. Have a neighbor watch your home and pick-up your newspapers and mail.
• If you use lights on your tree, make sure that they are in good working order.
• And lastly, when hosting a party, find alternative transportation for intoxicated guests; and when going out drinking, please remember: Don't Drink and Drive!

Party Safety Tips

• Always get your own drink. Watch it being poured.
• Don't leave it unattended.
• Don't drink or taste anybody else's drink.
• Don't accept drinks from anyone else.
• When in bars or clubs always get your drink directly from the bartender and do not take your eyes off the bartender or your order; don't use the waitress or let somebody go to the bar for you.
• At parties, only accept drinks in closed containers: bottles, cans or tetra packs.
• Never leave your drink unattended or turn your back on your table.
• Do not drink from open beverage sources like punch bowls, pitchers or tubs.
• Drugs used to spike drinks can be colorless and tasteless so you might not realize that anything has been added.
• Keep your eyes and ears open; if there is talk of date rape drugs or if friends seem "too intoxicated" for what they have taken, leave the party or club immediately and don't go back.
• Be aware of the behavior of your friends. Is their behavior out of character? Do they seem too "out of it" for what they've had? See the section on Drink Spiking to find out what to do.
• Watch out for your friends. Are they binge drinking or taking drugs? Are they making safe decisions? Are they OK?
• If your friend needs to sober up or straighten out, check to see that they are OK. Are they alone? Who is with them? Are they safe?
• Encourage people who are drunk to drink water or eat something. Keep an eye on them, if you can.
• Do you really trust whom you are going home with? Are you sure they won't make you do anything you don't want to do? Will they take "NO" for an answer?
• If you are going home with someone different, let someone know. Introduce them to your friends.
• If you still want to be even more cautious, consider purchasing drink testing strips. Test your drink by simply dipping it in your glass. These strips will change color if any drug is detected