The holiday season is almost here! The radio is playing our favorite Christmas carols. People are decorating and hanging their lights in preparation for all the joyful Christmas festivities with family and friends. Unfortunately, while we are happily decorating and adding to our Christmas lists of what to do and buy, there are burglars casing your home and cars. Thefts and break-ins increase significantly at this time of year. Burglaries occur most often when homes are unoccupied and when cars are left unlocked. The fact is that burglars are aware that there are lots of gifts and extra money in the house. Family members may be busy and distracted. They may forget to lock a door or store packages properly. Thieves will count on that! I am offering 11 tips to avoid holiday theft and keep your family safe.

1. Insurance Coverage to Keep Your Family Safe

Speak to your agent about the appropriate coverage you need, whether you own or rent your home. Be sure you have coverage for theft or vandalism on your vehicles. Insurance may provide theft coverage, but this is a terrible violation of your home that is extremely upsetting to everyone involved. Tis the season to be extra cautious!

2. Your Tree

Sad to say, your beautiful, sparkling, Christmas tree reflected in your front window with colourfully wrapped gifts beneath it, is way too tempting to thieves. Remove temptation by putting your tree in a location that cannot be easily seen from the outside of your house. This will reduce the chances of becoming a burglary victim.

3. Online Deliveries

Online shopping has become very popular and often necessary to working parents. Packages are often stolen from front  porches.

a). Track your packages to monitor when they are expected to arrive

b). Ship to an alternate address or store. You may be able to ship your packages directly to your place of business. Consider shipping your packages to a friend or relative that is at home. Shipping to a store will provide security and help to  avoid long lines at the register.

c).  Invest in technology-based solution include mobile apps, security cameras, or package guard.

d). Request a signature upon delivery or insure your package so that you can be reimbursed for your loss if it is stolen.

4. Those Precious Christmas Purchases

When at the mall, shops and restaurants, don’t leave your packages on the back seat of your car. Store them in your trunk or in a hatchback with the shade pulled over them to keep them out of sight. Don’t take any chances!

When at home, hide your new purchases in the basement or the back of a closet.. Retain your receipts and photograph any valuable  purchases for documentation for the insurance company, should they be stolen.

5. Lock Your Doors and Windows to Keep Your Family Safe

Break-ins increase during the holiday season. Make it a little harder for thieves to get into your car and house by locking your doors and windows. Suffice it to say—Security alarm systems work!

6. Awareness of Your Surroundings

Always carry your car keys in your hand so that you can push the alarm on your remote control if needed. Look around before exiting your car to make sure it is safe. When returning to your car with arms full of shopping bags, make sure you’re holding your keys in case you need to press the panic button or get into your car quickly. Also, look inside your vehicle before getting inside. It’s very important not to forget to scan the area when you pull up to an ATM machine to withdraw money during the Christmas season to keep your family safe.

7. Outdoor Lighting to Keep Your Family Safe

Install motion-activated outdoor lighting to all entry points to your home. Consider installing smart lighting inside your home which can be controlled from anywhere and schedules can be created with a timer.

8. Holiday Travel

If you’re going to be traveling this holiday season, make sure you do not post your plans on any social media forum. Believe it or not, burglaries are perpetrated by friends, customers and neighbors.  To prevent Thefts and break-ins, use appropriate precautions for making your home appear to be occupied in your absence.