During the hectic holiday season, many of us get so busy juggling the school events, parties and other extra activities that we can forget some basic personal safety rules. Shopping is a huge focus for most of us during the next few weeks and a few seconds thinking about these simple safety reminders could make a big difference for you and your family this year.

The first thing to remember is that December days are some of the shortest days of the year. Even if you schedule your shopping trip right after work, it is likely to be dark.

*Remember to stay as visible as possible in parking lots. Wear something light colored if possible and be extra careful when stepping out from between parked cars.

*Avoid using your cell phone in dark parking lots so you can stay aware of what is going on around you, including traffic and other potential personal dangers.

*Always try to walk to and from your car with one other person. If you are shopping by yourself, try to walk near other shoppers in parking lots.

*Most malls have security officers. For women especially, if you are weighed down with packages and leaving the mall alone at night, ask if a security officer can accompany you to your car.

*Avoid dark hallways (that often lead to restrooms, unfortunately) and other deserted areas of the mall or department stores near closing time.

Most of these precautions apply during the day also but we should all be extra alert and careful at night. Other suggestions from safety experts include:

*Only use ATMs located in highly visible, well-lit areas and try to have someone accompany you when making withdrawals after dark. Be aware of what is going on around you. Cancel your transaction if anything suspicious happens.

*Avoid juggling too many things at once. Kids, packages, coffee, and cell phones at the same time can not only distract you from what’s going on but send a signal to thieves that you might be an easy mark.

*It may sound too easy, but during this hectic time you might want to write down where you parked your car, or even take a picture of the area where you parked if your cell phone has a camera built in. The last thing you want to do is wander around looking for your car when you are weighed down with shopping bags. Beyond being frustrated, it could be dangerous.

*Always have up-to-date emergency contact information with you, just in case.

When shopping with kids:

*Point out the security guards so they know where to go for help if they get lost.

*Avoid shopping cart injuries by staying with the cart at all times. According to one report, over 21,000 kids are hospitalized each year after they’ve fallen or jumped from shopping carts.

*Check for loose or dangling items of clothing (both your own and your kids’) before stepping on an escalator.

Remembering these shopping safety tips could make a big difference during this crazy time of year and help you avoid injuries, scares or worse. Passing these reminders along will help keep family members, friends and other loved ones safer, too.