Holiday Season Crime Prevention: Stay Safe and Festive

The holiday season brings a predictable spike in theft, burglary, and fraud. Empty homes during travel, visible gifts, and a flood of deliveries all create opportunities criminals love.

Protect Your Home

• Use timers on lights to make an empty home look occupied.
• Don't post travel plans on social media until you're back.
• Break down gift boxes instead of leaving them at the curb advertising new electronics.

Guard Your Packages

Schedule deliveries when you're home, use a lockbox or parcel locker, and require signatures for high-value items. Package theft surges this time of year.

Shop and Spend Safely

Park in well-lit areas, don't leave purchases visible in your car, and watch for card skimming. Online, stick to reputable retailers and watch for fake deal scams.

For deeper coverage, see home burglary prevention and stopping porch pirates.