We all hope that during the cheery holiday season our personal belongings or gift purchases will go un-bothered. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, it makes sense that crime rates actually increase around holidays. According to the FBI 2012 crime report, about 1 in 36 homes are burglarized, and that ratio increases during the holiday season. The average amount of money lost due to these burglaries is around $2,230 per home, adding up to an estimated 4.7 billion dollars collectively.

Recently, NBC News published an article talking about “Porch Pirates” – people who monitor neighborhoods to see if any packages are left at the front door and then take them for themselves. About 23 billion packages are stolen from front doors and data from NextDoor, a messaging board site, states that the amount of packages stolen during the holidays increases by 36%.

With all the fear surrounding burglary and theft during the holiday season, you may be inclined to shy away from purchasing gifts for your loved ones. This information is not intended to scare you but to encourage you to consider alternative modalities for keeping your home and your family safe. Having security cameras at your home may not only deter thieves, but you might be more likely to get a full refund from companies with proof that your package was stolen. Security cameras are not only a great way to protect your home, but it also protects those around you. Most systems can alert you on your mobile device via text and inform you when there is a disturbance or if someone is at your home. This way, you can alert carriers to not deliver packages and inform neighbors to be on the lookout, all while keeping an eye on your property.

Another way to protect your home is to have a general security alarm system. According to current data published by the FBI, homes without some kind of security systems are 2.7 times more likely to be burglarized. Having a standard security alarm system in place can intimidate thieves and make them less likely to target your home. If you want to be extra cautious, having a home safe is another way to ensure your most valuable possessions don’t get stolen even if someone does break in.

The holiday season should be a time to spend with your friends and family. Rather than being concerned about purchasing gifts online or leaving your home unattended, Security Source can help you find the perfect residential security solution so you can focus on what matters during the holidays: your loved ones!