Tips to stay safe during Black Friday, busiest shopping day of the year

EL PASO, Texas -- Many in the Borderland see Black Friday as a chance to score some major deals on most everything on their Christmas list. A big concern every year is security as the day seems to get bigger attracting more crowds, and leading to many shopping early.

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"I'm working this Black Friday, so I am trying to get it done early just to try to beat the crowds, its been crazy already," shopper Victoria Grant said.

For others ABC-7 spoke with, a concern is safety in general. Some shoppers pointing to concerns following the August 3rd mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart. While the community remains shaken at the thought of El Paso's darkest day, many others continue with their message of strength and positiveness.

"People still need to shop and they go do it… that's in the past, we think about it, but we still need to do what we need to do," another local shopper said.

While Black Friday brings in an opportunity to score big savings on various items it also is an opportunity for thief's to steal those goods. That's why the El Paso Police Department always recommends to put away any big ticket items out of sight and in your car trunk.

When it comes to keeping your family safe on the hectic shopping day, its as simple as making sure everyone is accounted for, small children are best left at home. EPPD recommends having a tight grasp on small children if they must be out in the crowd.