Community Corner
These Are The Best Ways To Keep Packages Safe This Holiday Season
A few simple precautions will help ensure your special deliveries don't end up in the wrong hands.
Online shopping makes holiday gift giving easier and more convenient than ever. You can browse the web, pick a perfect present and never have to spend a moment braving the crowds or waiting in line. But clicking "add to cart" doesn't necessarily mean what you ordered will end up safely waiting for you on your doorstep.
Unfortunately, package theft is a significant problem. According to a New York Times analysis, more than 1.7 million packages are stolen or go missing every day across the country. This is particularly frustrating during the holiday season, but there are some simple, effective things you can to do to ensure your special deliveries don't end up in the wrong hands.
Don't let your packages pile up.
Get in the habit of bringing new deliveries indoors as soon as possible, and consider asking a neighbor or trusted friend to get your mail and handle any incoming packages when you're away. You can also fill out a request online for the U.S. Postal Service to hold mail, as well as request a vacation hold from FedEx and UPS.
Amazon offers a real-time tracking service that allows customers to follow the progress of select shipped packages on a live map. This allows you to arrange to be home when your package is likely to be delivered or, alternatively, nominate a safe place for your delivery. Some Amazon packages are delivered by carriers where map tracking is not available.
Make your home look occupied — even when it's not.
If you're not able to bring your packages in until after dark, consider motion sensor lights. They immediately draw attention to the person who set them off, often causing them to hide or leave the property. Potential package thieves are less likely to swipe a delivery if they think there's a chance you'll catch them in the act.
Connect with your neighbors.
If you're headed out of town or planning to be away for the holidays, let your neighbors know. This way, they can keep an eye on your home and contact you if anything looks suspicious.
Make sure to download the Neighbors by Ring app for real-time safety alerts from your neighbors and, in some communities, local law enforcement. You'll always know when and where crime happens in your area, and you can share updates to keep you and your community safe.
In one Dallas neighborhood, a group of residents used the Neighbors by Ring app and their Ring Video Doorbells to identify the package thief targeting their homes. The thief was arrested, and hundreds of packages were found at her home.
Install a video doorbell.
Smart security devices, such as the Ring Video Doorbell, let you monitor your property even when you're not home. You'll receive instant alerts on your phone when someone triggers the device's built-in motion sensors. If you see an unknown visitor laying hands on your deliveries, you can tell them in real time to put your package down — even from miles away.
With a Ring Video Recording subscription, you can review, download and share videos for up to 60 days. This way, if a package does go missing, you can look back at your footage to see when the package disappeared and who took it. Download this footage and share it with your neighbors and/or the authorities via social media, text and email.
