Safeguarding your Holidays

'Tis the season to be jolly, but it's also the time when we need to be extra vigilant to ensure a safe and secure holiday season. In this month's security tip, I wanted to shed some light on various Christmas and holiday-related security risks and provide some tips on how to better protect yourself, your home, and your loved ones.

Shopping Mall Parking Lots: The Perfect Target for Thieves

The hustle and bustle of holiday shopping often lead to crowded parking lots at shopping malls. Unfortunately, this environment can attract opportunistic thieves. Here's how you can minimize the risk:

• Park in Well-Lit Areas: Choose parking spots that are well-lit, especially if you'll be returning to your car after dark.

• Keep Valuables Out of Sight: Place shopping bags, gifts, and other valuables in the trunk or cover them with a blanket to prevent tempting thieves.

• Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to mall security.

Vacant Homes and Presents Under the Tree: An Invitation for Burglars

During the holiday season, many families travel to spend time with loved ones, leaving homes temporarily vacant. In fact, there has been a recent string of residential break-ins in West Vancouver, some of which have been featured on the news, as well as on my Facebook page BC CrimeWatch. Here are some security measures to consider:

• Home Security Measures: Invest in a reliable home security system, and consider motion sensor lights to deter potential intruders.

• Neighbour Cooperation: Communicate with trusted neighbours to keep an eye on each other's homes and collect mail to avoid the appearance of an empty house.

• Delay Present Displays: While it's tempting to showcase your beautifully wrapped gifts, consider waiting until closer to the holiday to place expensive presents under the tree. This prevents potential burglars from scoping out valuable items through windows.

Social Media Vacation Photos:

While this is true any time of year, would-be thieves are even more active over the Christmas holidays. Perhaps this relates to a higher level of desperation or simply more opportunities as families opt to trade in their toques and raincoats for shorts and tank tops. Whatever the case, even if your privacy settings are set to Friends only, it is best to save posting your vacation pictures until after you get back home for the rainy season.

Proper Disposal of Identifying Boxes: Conceal, Don't Advertise

After the excitement of unwrapping gifts, it's essential to dispose of packaging discreetly to avoid drawing attention to your newfound toys:

• Break Down Boxes: Flatten and cut up boxes to make them less conspicuous.

• Consider Recycling Centers: Instead of placing boxes in your home recycling bin, bringing them directly to the Return-in centre would be a great way to make your home less appealing to would-be thieves scoping out the neighborhood on recycle day.

• Avoid Advertising on Social Media: Refrain from sharing images of your holiday gifts on social media platforms, as this can alert potential criminals to the valuable items in your home. Once again, even if you feel your social media privacy settings are set to secure, you do not know how secure your friends' profiles are or if their account has been compromised.

By staying informed and implementing these safety measures, you can enjoy a festive and secure holiday season. Remember, a little caution goes a long way in preserving the joy and merriment of this special time of year.

Note: Blame Bing AI for the strange image. No, I do not know what that thing is on the top left... Alien Snowman???