‘Tis the Season to Prevent Holiday Crimes: A Homeowner’s Guide

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and connecting with loved ones. However, it’s important to stay vigilant and take precautions to prevent holiday crimes like theft, robbery, and burglary. This article sheds light on why these crimes tend to increase during this time and provides valuable tips on how to protect your home and belongings. With a focus on prevention and awareness, you can ensure a safe and secure holiday season for you and your loved ones.

We wait for the holidays all year. It’s a time to celebrate, focus on family and friends, say goodbye to last year, and welcome in the next. For some, it’s a time for travel — to tropical beaches, vacation houses, ski slopes, or childhood homes. For others, it’s about shopping for the perfect gift for everyone on their list.

The unfortunate reality, however, is that all of these scenarios can also create opportunity for certain crimes, especially theft, robbery, and burglary. Read on to learn more about why this happens, key holiday crime data, and how to prevent it.

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Does crime increase during the holidays?Title

Yes — the holiday season often brings joy and festivity, but unfortunately, it can also be a time when certain crimes, such as theft, robbery, and burglary, tend to increase.

Property crime rates in particular tend to tick up in December. According to FBI home burglary data from 2023A, December and January saw the highest rates of burglary throughout the year. Summer months also tend to see an increase in burglary rates, another popular time that folks go on vacation, leaving their homes unattended.

While it is crucial to note that crime rates can vary depending on the location and specific circumstances, there are several factors that contribute to the potential increase in criminal activity during this time of year.

Why does crime increase during the holiday season?Title

• Increased consumer spending: The holiday season brings a spike in shopping, which attracts criminals looking to target people with shopping bags or packages.
• Crowded shopping areas: Festive crowds make it easier for thieves to blend in and go unnoticed.
• Unattended homes: Travel and family gatherings leave homes empty, making them easy targets for burglaries.
• Pressure to meet expectations: The pressure to buy gifts might push some people into illegal activities, like theft, to get what they want.
• Market for stolen goods: High demand for certain items during the holidays creates a big market for stolen goods.

What kinds of crimes spike during the holiday season?Title

Package theftTitle

Every holiday season, almost half a million homes are burglarized in the United States. Around 88%A of homeowners worry that packages left outside their homes will get stolen. Rates of robbery and personal larceny are 20% higherA in December than the average monthly rate of these crimes.

And although in-store pickups have become common, most people still have packages delivered to their homes. The United States Postal Service processes and delivers 23.5 million packages each dayA. But that’s just an average throughout the year — December is most likely a much higher number.

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Pickpocketing and theftTitle

Pickpocketing and theft are also common crimes during the holiday season. Thieves take advantage of crowded shopping areas, distracted shoppers, and people carrying cash or expensive items. They may also target tourists or out-of-town visitors who are not familiar with their surroundings.

In addition, there is an increase in car break-ins during the holidays as well. Many people leave valuable items like gifts or electronics in their cars while they shop, making them easy targets for thieves.

BurglaryTitle

Burglary rates also tend to rise during the holiday season. Many people travel during this time, leaving their homes unattended and vulnerable to break-ins. Thieves may also target homes with visible displays of expensive gifts or packages left outside.

Financial fraudTitle

Fraudulent activities also tend to increase during the holiday season. With increased online shopping comes an increase in cybercrime, such as identity theft and credit card fraud. Scammers may also take advantage of people’s charitable spirit by posing as fake charities or creating fraudulent donation requests.

Holiday crime prevention tipsTitle

While it is essential to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings year-round, it becomes even more critical during the holiday season. By staying aware of your surroundings, securing your home, and utilizing safe shopping practices, you can help reduce the risk of falling victim to holiday-related crimes.

There are several ways you can secure your home and your packages during the holiday season.

When you’re on vacation:

• Keep your travel plans and photos off of social media to avoid advertising an empty home.
• Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to collect your mail and packages while you’re away.
• Set timers for lights inside your home to give the appearance of someone being there.

When shopping:

• Keep your purse or wallet close at all times, preferably in a front pocket or cross-body bag.
• Be aware of your surroundings and try not to get distracted by your phone or other devices while walking.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and only bring essential credit cards with you.

When receiving packages:

• Track your deliveries online so you know when they will arrive. If possible, have them delivered when someone is home to receive them.
• If you are not home, consider having packages delivered to your workplace or a secure package locker.
• If leaving packages on your doorstep is the only option, consider installing a security camera to monitor and deter potential thieves.

When traveling by car:

• Keep valuable items out of sight, preferably in the trunk.
• Park in well-lit areas and avoid leaving your car unattended for long periods.
• Lock your doors and roll up windows when leaving the vehicle.

Another great idea to keep your family safe this holiday season: Invest in a security system that incorporates home security camerasA and live camera monitoring servicesA (like Deep Sentinel!)

Have a very merry crime-free holiday season!​