In the air there’s a definite feeling of Christmas, and with just one week to go before Dec. 25 there will be lots of packages arriving, plenty of shopping trips, visits to crowded malls, and perhaps plans to head somewhere else for the holidays.
Unfortunately, this time of year also sees a rise in mail theft and distraction thefts, more thefts from vehicles and homes, and more unfortunate encounters in busy parking lots. Here are a few ways to keep yourself, your goods, your car, and your property safe this holiday season.
Mail theft
With more online shopping and package deliveries occurring in December, police are encouraging people to take steps to protect their mail. Whenever possible, choose “signature required” delivery or leave instructions for packages to be placed out of sight. Consider having items delivered to your workplace if no one is at home during the day. Tracking shipments helps to ensure that items are retrieved promptly, and delivery service pickup locations offer secure alternatives for large or valuable orders. Police also note that doorbell cameras and motion-activated lighting can deter thieves. Any suspicious activity around mailboxes should be reported immediately.
Distraction thefts
Police are also warning the public about distraction thefts, which tend to increase during busy holiday shopping periods. These incidents usually occur in crowded areas where suspects create a distraction to steal wallets, phones, or bags. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep bags zipped and close to your body, shield PINs during transactions, and avoid leaving personal items unattended in shopping carts.
Theft from vehicles
In the song, shoppers rush home with their presents, but sometimes that’s not until after making several trips to the car to drop off purchases. This can make your vehicle a target for thieves, so don’t leave gifts, shopping bags, or valuables in plain sight. Parking in well-lit, high-traffic areas is a good idea, and make sure all your doors and windows are locked to reduce the risk of a break-in.
Parking lot safety
Mall parking lots are packed tight this time of year, and people are often laser-focused on getting that perfect spot. Last year, an ICBC survey conducted by Ipsos found that over half of drivers (51 per cent) feel more stressed navigating a busy parking lot than driving on the open road, while seven in 10 also reported being involved in, or witnessing, a collision or near-miss in a parking lot. Last December saw almost 8,000 collisions in B.C. parking lots, accounting for 30 per cent of all December collisions.
To stay safe, slow down in parking lots, remember to use your signals, and scan your surroundings for pedestrians, or for cars pulling into or leaving parking spots. When you find a spot to park, consider reversing into it, which gives you better visibility when you pull out. Parking further away from the doors can help you avoid the crowds, and can be safer and less stressful.
Home sweet home
Those gaily-wrapped presents under the tree look lovely, but they can also tempt thieves, so try to keep them out of view of the street, and make sure to keep doors and windows secured. If you’re going to be away for the holidays, arrange for someone to pick up any deliveries that might arrive. To give the appearance of someone being home, ask a neighbour to shovel your driveway if it snows, and use timers so that indoor lights come on when it’s dark. And while it’s tempting to post those travel plans or holiday pics on social media, they can alert would-be thieves to the fact that no one’s home, so it might be best to wait until you’re safely back home.