Don’t let the Grinch Ruin Your Holidays!

Holiday Theft Prevention Tips

The 2019 Holiday season is almost upon us.  We offer these common sense theft prevention tips to help keep your holiday season a little safer. 

TIP #1 Package delivery. Theft of packages left at your doorstep is particularly prevalent this time of year.  Rather than have your packages left lying on the front porch we offer a number of suggestions.  First, make sure you keep track of when your packages are due to arrive.   You might then ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your packages for you and store it at their house during your work hours or if you are away.   Consider having your packages delivered to your work, or even to a lock box.  You might also include special delivery instructions asking the delivery person to put your package in a less visible location. 

TIP #2 Social media updates. Don’t post your holiday travel status on social media letting thieves know that your home is unoccupied.  Wait until you’re home to share.  And, don’t post your photos of your holiday tree with all the trimmings and wrapped gifts.  It can be an enticement to thieves. 

TIP #3 Keep gifts and packages out of sight whether out shopping or at home.  Keep all shopping bags and packages and other valuables out of site and hidden from view when out shopping and storing them in the car.  This advice also applies at home - presents should be tucked out of sight of windows.

Tip #4 Lock your doors.  Whether your home or your car, especially at this time of year, you should remember that this is also the season for break-ins.  That also goes for your windows. 

Tip #5 Be safety aware in parking lots Have your keys at the ready when returning to your vehicle laden with packages.  Key an eye out for anything or activity that looks strange or unusual.  Look in the backseat of your car before getting in to it.  Shop with a friend.  There's safety in number.

TIP #6 Garbage and recycling bins provide a wealth of information. The packaging from your new big screen TV or computer is a dead give-away that there are brand new goodies inside your home.   Be sure to flatten cardboard packaging and don’t put your recycling out at the curb too early.  Thieves can easily go through your garbage to see if anything tempting might be inside your home.