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Is It Safe to Go Shopping on Black Friday? 5 Things You Need to Know
Are you excited to get your hands on some Black Friday deals? America’s favorite shopping holiday is just around the corner, and thanks to some steep markdowns, consumers can finally buy the latest iPhone or Roomba that they have been eyeing for a long time and maybe even grab a few extra things.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Black Friday starts the Christmas shopping season right after Thanksgiving and it has been a long-standing tradition in the U.S. for over 80 years. With big brands offering deep discounts, it is easy to see why shoppers get so enthusiastic and why the hype has spread beyond American borders (the UK and some parts of Asia have their own versions too).
But behind these doorbuster deals, there are potential dangers of Black Friday shopping that first-timers should be aware of. Besides general safety practices, there are nuanced tips that should be followed as well. So if you are planning to shop on Black Friday for the first time in 2025 this year, you will want to read on to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
1. Camping Outside Stores for Black Friday Is Never a Good Idea
Similar to camping outside and waiting for a concert, some shoppers try to go the extra mile and bundle up in sleeping bags or pitch tents outside stores or in nearby parking lots the night before Black Friday.
In theory, this idea might be fun to do with friends around, but you should not underestimate how harsh the late November weather can be when wind slices through clothing and temperatures drop drastically. Hypothermia can affect you even when the temperature isn’t below zero, and no amount of hot chocolate or a thick coat can keep you warm for long.
A large crowd waiting overnight can also attract different kinds of trouble. Fights can break out over who gets the spot in line as people always "hold spots" for others. Theft is always a possibility. You could lose your phone, wallet, and other valuables while you are dozing off or feeling distracted. Criminals see large crowds of unsuspecting vulnerable people and think of opportunistic crimes.
Since most establishments don’t take responsibility for what happens outside their buildings, that means you are pretty much on your own if something bad happens to you.
2. Black Friday Is More of a Battleground and Less of a Bargain Hunt
One of the biggest dangers of shopping during Black Friday usually happens inside the stores, where masses of bargain hunters flood narrow entryways and squeeze themselves through packed aisles in a mad rush to grab limited deals.
It is almost guaranteed that you will see people yelling, pushing others, and sprinting through the chaos with their overloaded carts. If you check news outlets, you will find yearly reports of injuries from slip-and-fall accidents and, tragically, a few fatalities due to stampedes.
While it might sound absurd, it is quite common for Black Friday shoppers to get into fights or brawls over things as small as packed towels, air fryers, and the must-have toy of the season collections.
Psychologists have explained that this behavior could stem from scarcity panic and social contagion. Logic tends to go out of the window when people are feeling tense and desperate or when they are driven by a mix of adrenaline rush and the fear of missing out. We all know how much people FOMO nowadays!
Since bargain hunters get too busy fighting over gaming consoles, small kitchen appliances, and whatnot, pickpockets may use this opportunity to steal from the distracted shoppers. Remember that unsuspecting consumers always equals vulnerable populations.
3. Overcrowded Stores Can Turn Into Breeding Grounds for Infectious Diseases
When so many people gather in one enclosed space, even the best ventilation system will struggle to keep up with proper air quality, and that is another factor to consider when shopping on Black Friday.
Black Friday falls right at the beginning of the flu season, which means influenza is already making the rounds by the time people are pushing through dense crowds, and everyone is making contact with each other.
A single sneeze or cough from an infected person releases thousands of droplets, and depending on the humidity and airflow, the airborne pathogens may linger for several minutes before settling on another person’s clothes or on the items you are about to grab.
Aside from the flu, you should also be concerned with contagious diseases like strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and hand, foot, and mouth disease that can easily spread through contaminated objects. Remember that shopping carts, escalator railings, elevator buttons, door handles, and checkout counters have been touched by thousands of hands before yours, so there is an invisible chain of infection going on already.
Since Black Friday can be incredibly stressful due to the long waiting lines, loud noises, sleep deprivation, and constant rush to beat other shoppers to limited deals, your immune system weakens the moment you need it working the hardest.
4. The Black Friday Chaos May Follow You to the Road
After you have survived the boisterous and potentially dangerous crowd, you will have to survive the commute home.
According to insurance companies, car accidents often increase by a staggering 34 percent on Black Fridays compared to the two weeks before the shopping holiday, and these accidents range from parking lot fender benders to severe road collisions that resulted in more serious injuries. Then there's always road rage, which is only exacerbated by a stressful period of anxious shopping.
The reason isn’t hard to figure out; there are more cars on the road during Black Fridays that are driven by grumpy, exhausted, and mentally fatigued shoppers.
5. You Can Snag the Same Black Friday Deals from the Comfort of Your Couch
If all this talk of crowd crashes, germs, and traffic jams has you second-guessing your Black Friday plans, you might want to consider staying home and shopping online instead.
Back in the day, Cyber Monday only ever existed to sell off things that did not sell on Black Friday, but now, an increasing number of stores are offering great discounts online on the same day minus the risk of getting elbowed in the face or rear-ended in a parking lot.
Online shopping on Black Friday also lets you compare prices, read reviews, and take your time deciding on what you want to buy without feeling pressured by the crowd. Just make sure you stick to reputable websites to avoid scammers, use secure payment methods like PayPal or American Express, and multi-factor authentication, and avoid clicking suspicious links or pop-up deals that seem too good to be true.
Final Words
Black Friday is infamous for its long lines, fast-selling expensive items like TVs, chaotic energy, shouting matches, and occasional catfights or fist brawls. The dense crowds, limited stock of items, and fierce competition can turn anyone into a contentious shopper, and the tension does not end inside the store. Road rage and traffic accidents tend to spike as exhausted shoppers hurry home or make it to the next store for their sale.
But still, Black Friday holds a certain nostalgic charm for so many people. The “thrill of the hunt,” the buzz of being a part of a nationwide shopping frenzy, and the satisfaction of walking away with the best Black Friday deals keep millions of people coming back each year. Perhaps you can elect to go shopping on Saturday or Sunday, when deals will still be up and running, with less chance of disaster. Or go all in on Black Friday, and make sure to follow our tips and precautions to shop smart and safe.
