The holiday season is upon us, and as wonderful as it is to be with family, you might be facing some pretty stressful times. We want you and your loved ones to stay safe this year and to enjoy these days as much as possible. That is why we have created this list of tips to keep you safe during the holiday season.
- Be careful with what you do online. The holidays can be a bit overwhelming, and the need to “vent” online is common. Be very careful about what type of information you give out online about your children. You can inadvertently attract people who will want to harm them.
- Use a secure credit card when you shop. Using a secure credit card can help protect you while you make online purchases, because you can keep your identity hidden and/or limit the amount of “money” you have on the card.
- Look out for icy walks and wet mall floors. There are a lot of shoppers out there, especially on Black Friday. Shopping centers are liable for the safety of the people there, but it can be hard to keep an eye on every corner and every floor. Make sure you and your children watch out for broken or icy roads and pathways, and for floors with a lot of foot traffic – especially on wet or snowy days.
- Park and walk in well-lit areas. By parking near lights, you make yourself less vulnerable to attacks and thieves. The same goes for walking in well-lit areas. Try to shop during the day, and avoid taking short cuts through alleys or the back of the mall.
- Turn your children’s tracker on in their smartphone. There are a lot of apps for parents who want to keep tabs on their kids. By turning on the tracker, you can make sure they are safe and secure.
- Talk to your children. The holidays can be stressful for children too, especially children whose parents are divorced. Talk to your children about how they are feeling, and discuss any concerns you have for their health or safety with your ex-spouse, so that s/he is aware of your concerns. The holidays see an increase in depressed behavior and a greater number of child runaways, and speaking with your children about their fears or concerns can help all of you have a healthier holiday.
We want you all to have a safe and healthy holiday season, no matter what you do. From all of us at Miller Upshaw Family Law, PLLC in Nashville, have a happy holiday!
Karla C. Miller has devoted her entire career to the practice of family law in Tennessee. She attended Auburn University and Nashville School of Law, and upon graduation in 1996, she opened her own law firm and has been assisting families throughout Tennessee since then. Learn more about Karla C. Miller here.
