As the holiday season arrives, many
shoppers will turn to the internet to order gifts and have them delivered
directly to the home. The holiday season also sees a major increase in the
number of porch pirates who try to swipe packages and steal right off the front
porch of homes.
As you plan your own holiday
shopping, check out some ways to stay protected and enhance your security. A
camera may not be enough to stop package theft, and extra enhancements will
help keep your items protected.
1. Audible Alarms
As porch pirates try to sneak up on
your home, you can alert neighbors and give the would-be thieves a scare with
an audible alarm. Set up a security system that features motion-based sirens
that automatically go off when someone is near your package drop-off location.
The loud noise could potentially scare off the criminals and keep your packages
safe.
You may also set up a manual alarm.
If you watch live feeds of your home and see someone approaching, you can set
the siren off. Some security systems also give you the option to speak directly
through a speaker and tell the person to leave.
The audible alarms can also pair
with large spotlights that shine on people in dark situations. A bright
spotlight will illuminate the perpetrator and help gather evidence if any of
your mail is actually stolen.
2. Security App Alerts
If you come home and discover that
someone has swiped your packages, this is usually is a major disappointment.
You are often caught completely off-guard and then have to backtrack to
determine exactly when the theft occurred. Modern security systems will often
offer app downloads for home users. The app gives you real-time updates so you
can see live situations as they occur.
One of the key parts is seeing when
a package gets dropped off. When a package is left by your home, you can
contact someone to grab the package so it's not just left outside. You could
also take the opportunity to go home and move the package yourself.
3. Extra Camera Placement
Instead of waiting for a potential
thief to reach the front steps of your home, start your security coverage right
near the edge of your property. Security companies can mount and install extra
cameras to add surveillance and protection to the home. For example, cameras
near the edge of the driveway will capture any cars or pedestrians who approach
your home.
Just like with other cameras, you
can set up off sirens, turn on lights, and try to prevent the theft as early as
possible. When you install extra cameras, one factor to consider is your WiFi
connection. You may need to broaden the strength of your Wi-Fi connection to
ensure the cameras work without any glitches or issues.
4. Shipping Tracking Services
Another way to help boost your
security system is direct knowledge of your package delivery. Major shipping
companies like USPS, UPS, and FedEx all offer advanced shipment tracking
accounts. Set up accounts to have details on the exact delivery times for your
package.
USPS and FedEx will give a delivery
estimate window so you know when to watch for a package. UPS also provides a
window, but some of their deliveries will also include GPS tracking so you know
exactly when the truck will arrive.
Once you know the delivery window,
you can watch the shipment arrive and plan accordingly to minimize the amount
of time packages are left on your property. You can also determine when a
package delivery person stops by as opposed to someone suspicious or not
welcome on your property.
For more information on our security
services and options, contact us at All
Pro Security, Inc.
We will help you set up a system to fit your needs and
protect your package deliveries all year round.
