Mall Safety

posted on December 3, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
rackley2015_fs.jpg

As we crowd the malls and shopping centers in search of the perfect gifts for loved ones, safety should never be too far out of mind. Overall, malls of are quite safe, but incidents can and do happen, and it’s best to have plan developed before heading out to catch sales, eat Cinnabuns and visit department-store santas, especially if you’re in a group that includes children.

To start, make sure everyone is carrying a cell phone. Its usefulness as a safety tool is unparalleled as it can be used to report suspicious people or packages, provide photos of children that stray and quickly gather a group if separated. At the same time, however, every group should have a predetermined gathering point in case of dead batteries, lost phones or if someone doesn’t own (yikes) a mobile device. The location can be a favorite restaurant or store, or entrance nearest the conveyances that brought you to the melee. It might even be beneficial to list multiple locations in the event of danger. These can be listed as location one and location two and texted to all parties, or simply as the main location if nothing is happening and alternate location in case of danger.

Second, all children should carry something, be it a card, chain, dog tags, etc., that lists name and at least two contact numbers in case of becoming lost. I recommend having at least one number for someone not in attendance on the shopping trip. This really does help police and security quickly return “our precious,” severely limiting the amount time that the heart chokes off oxygen intake. You should also discuss with your children that if they do become lost to find a police or security officer to help. You can also point out the information counters that many shopping centers situate conveniently for the benefit of customers.

Finally, everyone should have at least a basic idea of what to do in case of an extreme situation. Remind them that in most cases it’s best to hide in the back of stores, locked backrooms if possible, and wait for the police to handle the problem. Few citizens can actually provide help and the main job is to stay safe. Also, talk to kids, especially younger kids, about what to do if someone tries to steal them away. With witnesses everywhere, they should hit, kick and bite, making a point to scream out that “this is not my” mommy or daddy. Sure, most of us notice screaming kids wherever we go, but are you sure it’s not just a kid throwing a fit? Throwing in that phrase eliminates doubt.

Remember, situations can happen quickly, and there are numerous factors that can determine success, but a quote attributed to Louis Pasteur sums it up nicely. “Chance favors the prepared mind.”

Latest

Sw Mp Spec Series Web
Sw Mp Spec Series Web

Review: Smith & Wesson Spec Series V M&P 9 Metal HD

This latest enhancement from Smith & Wesson proves that good things can come from heavier, steel-framed packages.

Old Glory Bank, NRA Partner To Provide Banking Benefits To Members

Old Glory Bank and the National Rifle Association (NRA) recently entered into a joint marketing relationship to provide banking benefits to members of the NRA Business Alliance and NRA-affiliated clubs and associations.

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.