5 Ways to Better Protect Your Holiday Packages
The holidays are officially here! The holiday season allows us to relax, reconnect with friends and family, and enjoy holiday traditions. It can also be a time of year where shopping can take up a large portion of our time. Between Hannukkah, Christmas, and even winter birthdays, the number of packages being delivered significantly increases during the holiday season. There are many elements not in your control when you order a package but there are a few ways you and your family can better protect your holiday packages from “porch pirates.” These so-called porch pirates are people who steal delivered packages from your driveway or porch. Our home security experts at Coggin Security have compiled a list of their favorite ways to protect your packages.
1. Don’t Let Mail Pile Up
Yes, a simple but ultimately very effective way to prevent package theft. Don’t let mail pile up in your mailbox or on your porch. There is a tell-tale sign to porch pirates that you are either not home or don’t keep a close eye on your mail. Both scenarios are likely to result in stolen packages. Don’t fall victim and keep an eye on your mail. If you are visiting friends or family this holiday season, be sure to enlist the help of a trusted neighbor or friend to collect your mail for you if you aren’t home. Check out our guide to keeping your home safe while you are away!
2. Pick Up Packages Promptly
Another way to protect your holiday packages is to promptly pick up your packages once they are delivered. It is great if you are home to collect them anytime a package arrives but that may be unrealistic for most. Instead, make it a habit to pick up your packages as soon as you get home. The quicker you can get to your packages, the better.
3. Utilize Shipping Updates and Alerts
The days of waiting for your packages to magically appear on your porch are long gone. Today, most packages and websites will offer some sort of tracking information. Whether it be through the postal service itself or even on the website, you are able to track where your package is at all times. Even more than a tracking number, some companies will offer text and email updates. This allows you to receive updates whenever the status of your package changes. If you are ordering packages this holiday season, be sure to utilize shipping updates and alerts to keep track of your packages.
4. Install A Home Camera
Another great way to protect your packages from porch pirates is to install a video doorbell. They are becoming an increasingly popular way to protect your home from break-ins and thieves. Sometimes, the presence of a camera will even be enough to deter criminals from your home. With a home camera, you can see a live video feed of your front porch at all times. This can be especially helpful, in case you do become the unfortunate victim of a porch pirate. With a motion detector and HD camera, your home will be protected from unwanted intruders.
5. Send Packages to a Secure Facility
The last tip is to remove the liability of having your packages delivered to your home altogether. This is a surefire way to keep your packages safe. Most major shipping companies will offer in-store pick-up or locker pickup. This includes the Amazon lockers you can find around your town. If you will be out of town for your package delivery or you have something very valuable being delivered, shipping your package to a secure location will be the safest option.
Don’t let a stolen package ruin your holiday season. Be diligent about your deliveries to help protect your gifts from being stolen. Our experts at Coggin Security want to help you make the most of your holiday season. Please contact us for more information about how to improve your home security package.