The holiday season is quickly approaching. For some people, it has already arrived. For others, they sit back and wait for Thanksgiving to roll by before even thinking of pulling out the holiday decorations.
The Christmas lists might be long, and they might be expensive. Christmas discounts and Black Friday deals are tempting to residents who want to save the extra money. But during this holiday season, no matter where you’re shopping, be safe.
Retail stores are used to having lines outside their doors early in the morning the Friday after Thanksgiving. It’s become an infamous American image: people busting down doors, shoving and trampling their way to the discounts and savings.
In 2008, a retail worker was trampled to death by eager shoppers as she opened the doors to the store. It’s frightening to think how driven and blinded those shoppers were that they took the life of an innocent woman.
Retailers this holiday season can practice safety procedures to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. The U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has even sent reminders to retailers on how to maintain a safe shopping experience this holiday season.
Stores in Bainbridge, like Belk and Walmart, might see waves of people on Black Friday. Other Bainbridge residents might travel to Tallahassee, Dothan or Valdosta. Wherever people go to shop, be safe and be courteous to others, especially retail workers.