Summer is quickly coming to close. Not on the calendar — the autumnal equinox doesn’t take place until mid-September — and not on the thermometer, either. Yet the reality is that the school bells will be ringing again soon, calling students and teachers back to class for another year.

That means back-to-school shopping and shoppers will have their hands full, perhaps literally, going from store to store.

With that in mind, there are ways to make your back-to-school shopping safe, if not enjoyable.

Much like holiday shoppers, back-to-school shoppers can be vulnerable to thieves.

If you are shopping alone, avoid doing so at night. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and keep what cash you do have in a front pocket. 

Also, avoid overloading yourself with packages and be aware of your surroundings. 

Avoid leaving bags and packages in clear view inside your vehicle. 

You also may need to protect yourself if you go shopping online. LifeLock offers a number of tips, including shopping at websites you trust and avoiding using public Wi-Fi. The firm also encourages using strong passwords and using a VPN, or virtual private network, and also check the website’s security — look for the lock icon near the https URL. Also, it is recommended that you pay with a credit card, rather than a debit card. And always check your statements.

Meanwhile, as the start of school draws near and adults and kids check off what they have and still need on their shopping lists, parking lots and roads could get much busier.  Be patient and courteous and keep in mind that driving safely on the roads can help you and someone else be around for the first day of school.