Eight Tips to Keep Your Packages Safe During the Holiday Season

Web site: The Silver Lining

Material excerpted from: The Silver Lining – West Bend

Is your neighborhood filled with the sounds of delivery trucks? Mine is. ‘Tis the season! With all those packages being delivered this holiday season, some will inevitably be stolen from front porches or other delivery areas. While there’s more to the holiday season than gifts, it’s frustrating if thieves target your house or neighborhood.

Here are some tips that may help keep your packages safe:

1-Don’t let your packages sit

Monitor when your packages are expected to arrive. Leaving packages on your porch, in your mailbox overnight, or for a couple of days makes them vulnerable to theft. By tracking deliveries and retrieving them promptly, you reduce the risk of someone stealing your packages.

2-Talk to your neighbors

Consider reaching out to neighbors who are home during the day and ask if they can collect your packages when they arrive. Most are happy to help, and this arrangement can prevent packages from sitting outside unattended, easing some of your holiday stress.

3-Ship to an alternate address

If your workplace allows, you may be able to ship packages directly to your place of business. Check with your company’s management to see if this is an option. Alternatively, you can ship packages to a friend or relative’s home where someone is available to receive them.

4-Ship to the store

Some retailers offer the option to ship packages directly to their store locations. Though this may be less convenient, it provides added security for your deliveries, especially expensive ones, and may help you avoid long lines at checkout. Some stores even provide special parking spots near the entrance for easy pickup.

5-Install a package lockbox

If you regularly receive deliveries, installing a lockbox on your porch can keep your packages secure. These boxes can be bolted down, and you can share the access code with your delivery service to ensure safe drop-off every time.

6-Signature on delivery

Choose the option to have packages delivered only when someone is available to sign for them. This ensures that your packages are handed directly to a person and not left unattended outside your home.

7-Insure your holiday packages

Since package theft tends to increase during the holidays, it may be wise to insure your deliveries. Insurance provides reimbursement in the unfortunate event that a package is stolen, giving you added peace of mind.

8-Ship to your local pack and ship store

If you live near UPS, FedEx, or other locally owned pack and ship store, consider sending your packages there. These businesses can securely hold your deliveries until you are able to pick them up, further reducing the risk of theft.

Worried about holiday package theft? Contact us for peace of mind.

Call your local Hometown Insurance Agent at 1-800-568-SAVE (7283) or contact us by email at service@hometowninsurance.com for helpful information.

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