The hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season gets underway today with those 'Black Friday' deals that take place both in stores and online.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers says as you head out to the major shopping centers to find those Christmas presents, be mindful of things like knowing where you parked in the big parking lots, keeping your wallets and purses close, and not keeping lots of cash in those wallets and purses.

For Chief Lowers, preparation goes a long way whether it's knowing your route of travel to a location or being ready to swiftly get into your vehicle when you're ready to leave.

Whether you're hitting the road for a holiday gathering or to do some Christmas shopping, the Chief encourages making sure you let someone know where you're headed and do not drive distracted.

Authorities also remind, if the weather is bad when you're planning to travel, keep a safety preparedness kit in your vehicle in the event you become stranded and help is not immediately available.