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845-790-3413
© 1997-2006 Betty Chypre, All
Rights Reserved
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~ Safety & Security at
Shows ~
Information
for Craftsmen & Artists
It doesn't take much effort, just a higher level of awareness to ensure
your safety on the road and at shows. The following pointers should
become part of your show routine.
The
day before a show, and again before you leave
, do a quick walk-around your car: check your tires and make
sure there is no puddle of liquid under the car. You can avoid a lot of
grief by repairing or replacing tires and taking care of other problems before
you are stranded.
At the show, park near
a light.
It's not dark when you arrive, but at the end of the day, you will be
safer packing and loading in a well-lit area.
Try
not to be the last person out of the building at the end of the show.
Wear a fanny pack, - in front of you, as a belly-bag,
low and loose. As the day progresses, remove your checks,
charges, and large bills from your cash box and put them in your
belly-bag.
Don't latch your cash box. One of the tricks that thieves
use, especially at outdoor shows, is to reach
over, grab the cash box, and run. If the box isn't latched, it will
open and dump the contents onto the floor. (There shouldn't be very
much in it at any time, -$50 worth of singles and fives and change. The
rest should tucked away on your person.)
Don't
put all your eggs in one basket.
Even a fanny pack can disappear when an experienced pickpocket slices
through the belt with a utility knife. Use an alternative storage
place, inside your clothing. Several models of 'undercover
security wallets' are available from many sources, including
TravelSmith (1-800-950-1500 www.travelsmith.com. It takes only a minute
to transfer part of the money from your pack to your undercover wallet.
At restaurants or gas stations
don't discuss the show and how busy you were. People will overhear you and
imagine you are carrying tons of cash. You may as well be carrying a
sign that says, "Mug me."
Get
rid of your show badge
. Put it in your pocket when you leave the show. Most people forget
about their badge, and it's a little badge that advertises the money
you are carrying. Put it out of sight!
If
you stay at a motel, leave the TV or radio on while you are
out of the room. Leave a 'Do Not Disturb'
sign on the door so it looks as if someone is in the room at all times,
especially if you store your extra inventory there.
Set up your booth with secure
corners so
no one can come into your private space. Make sure valuables are
stashed out of reach and out of sight.
Don't
leave your neighbor to watch your cash.
Remove cash and checks from your cash box when you leave your
space. He will probably be willing to watch your booth while you are
absent, -but if he gets busy, he may be unable to give your booth much
attention. You will both feel better if you have your money with you.
Even
though it's a secure space, when you leave your booth overnight, remove
your most valuable pieces, and cover the rest of your
merchandise with sheets or large covers. Next morning, arrive
early as soon as the doors open. In your car:
-
A flashlight with
new batteries.
-
A new
can of Fix-A-Flat, (it goes hard after a year or two).
-
Quarters for
phone calls and tolls. Maps.
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A 3x5 card with
written directions to and from the location
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Pen and paper.
Cell phone if possible.
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Store a blanket
in the car for winter traveling, in case you are stranded on a back
road.
-
In winter, don't
let your gas tank go below half full; the larger the air
space in your tank, the more likely your gas-line will freeze. Pour a
can of dry gas into your tank with each fill-up when the weather's
below freezing.
Reprinted
with permission from Art & Craft Show Yellow Pages for
Craftsmen & Artists. CHOICES publishes more details about each
show to help you choose the best shows for your work.
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