According to Forbes “more than 2 billion packages will be shipped between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.” As we choose to purchase more and more products on-line there is are a plethora of packages sitting at residences that are ripe for the taking. Unfortunately, thieves have noticed this and according to USA Today “package theft hits nearly one-third of Americans.”
Ordering gifts for the holiday season has many benefits. You can avoid the “holiday rush” at your local shopping centers, you don’t have to haul your goods from store to the car to the house and you can take advantage of online discounts and shop countless websites for different products. However, the thought of a few hundred or even thousands of dollars of goods sitting on a doorstep or driveway for hours at a time is nerve-racking, to say the least.
If you are someone who has a lot of packages delivered, here are some tips to help ensure that your packages are not stolen this holiday season.
- Deliver packages to your work or pick up at the post office or Fed Ex/UPS center:
Delivering packages to your place of work is a great option as there is almost always someone available to sign for the package. Additionally, they will not deliver the package if your business is not open. You can also request to have your package set to “hold for pick up” at your local post office or Fed Ex/UPS center and you can pick them up at your earliest convenience. - Install a lockbox:
Much like the typical mailboxes you see every day, a lockbox allows your package delivery driver to drop the package into your lockbox and it is secured until someone with a key comes and opens the box. This is a great option if you are someone that leaves packages out for multiple days. - Require a signature and insure all valuable packages:
Requiring a signature is a simple step that guarantees your package cannot be left without someone signing for it. If you are sure someone will be available when your package is scheduled to be delivered this is a no-brainer. Additionally, insuring all valuable packages is a way to make sure you are not totally out of pocket if your package is stolen, damaged or lost. - Get a professional technician to install security cameras:
There are many benefits to installing security cameras besides protecting your delivered packages so this is valuable on multiple levels. Anyone that steals a package from your home will be caught on camera and can then be shown to the authorities. Additionally, if you know when your package should arrive you can use your mobile app to view the camera and confirm when your package is delivered.
At Tasco Security, we suggest using a professional security company for camera installation and monitoring. By utilizing a professional company, you can have peace of mind that your technology is up to date, your cameras are installed correctly and your hardware is a quality piece of equipment. - Home security signage:
If you are utilizing security cameras then make sure to point this out to any potential suspects. A simple lawn sign and/or window sticker can go a long way in deterring someone from stealing packages off your front porch (among many other potential crimes as well.)
You can see that with a few extra steps you can ensure a much safer delivery process for your packages this holiday season. Don’t be one of the one-third of Americans that have their packages stolen each year. If you are interested in how Tasco Security can assist in helping to protect your home this holiday season, give us a call, we are here to help.
