Dangers of Black Friday

Can Black Friday shopping turn deadly?

People stand in lines for hours and hours waiting for the mall doors to open so they can rush in for the annual Black Friday Sales; hundreds of people rushing into stores hoping to get the best price for those jeans or the newest smartphone. For many this is a happy occasion and is recognized all over the country, but for some it is a day of mourning and grief.

As many as 10 deaths and over 100 injuries were reported last year from competing for a parking spot to fighting over a TV. One of the most common ways to get hurt is in a car accident. Hundred of people drive in the early hours of the morning to get to the malls as quick as possible. Mall parking lots are so packed and it is impossible to find a parking spot. With pedestrians running around and drivers fighting to find a space, it is very easy to get hit or even hit someone. People are often trampled because of the large amounts of people running towards an item. There are also many instances of people being shot, stabbed, and pepper sprayed while fighting other customers. Although many stores hire additional securities to control the rush of crowds in stores, some stores will still lack staff. Retail stores, such as Walmart, which will get mass rushes of people will often find themselves being understaffed. This is one of the reasons why Walmart has the largest death and injury rate on Black Friday. Another very common danger is being robbed. Many shoppers find themselves carrying many credit cards, coupons, and gift cards, and in the hectic shopping centers it is often hard to tell when you are being robbed. As many transactions are going on in-store this is the perfect time for hackers to steal credit card and personal information.

Though there are many dangers to Black Friday, as long as you are aware of your surroundings you should be free from harm. Make sure to have your undivided attention when driving in busy parking lots with many pedestrians and when in the stores itself to watch out for thieves, be sure to check and re check your bags for all your merchandise and your wallet.