No one knows better than Old St. Nick how to keep packages safe around the holidays! Zipping around the entire world at warp speeds in just one night means that you have to be a pro at safely packing and delivering packages of every shape and size. Here are Santa’s best tips for making sure all your packages — both during the holidays and the rest of the year — stay safe and secure.

Pack and Ship Your Packages with Care

 

1. Use the smallest box or container possible, and wrap fragile items like glass and cookies in bubble wrap. Separate items that could stick together or break apart, like cookies or a craft that has glue on it, with tissue paper.
2. Pack the items snugly but not too tightly in the box. Giving items just a bit of room for movement can actually help prevent them from breaking.
3. Don’t forget to include your card in the box before you close it!
4. Make sure all previous addresses and delivery stickers and stamps have been removed from the outside of the box.
5. Clearly write your return address and the delivery address on the outside of the box in Sharpie or some other bold, black or dark blue marker. Then seal the box with one or two layers of packing tape. If you’re using a pre-printed label, you can also secure that to the box with packing tape, completely covering it to protect it from rain or snow.
6. Consider purchasing insurance on packages, especially if they contain high-end or expensive items. For a relatively low cost, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your items will be covered if they’re lost or damaged in transit. (Carefully read all terms and conditions before purchasing package insurance so you’ll know exactly what is and isn’t covered.)
7. Require a signature and delivery notification on your package, so you’ll know when it arrived and who received it.

 

Receiving Packages Safely

1. Depending on the area where you live, it’s probably safe for your package to be delivered to your home during the day as long as you’ll be home in a few hours to retrieve it. But don’t have packages delivered to your house if you know you’ll be gone for a long period of time. A package sitting outside for a day or two is an alert to a burglar that you're not home. 
2. Have packages delivered to your office or to a close friend or family member if you’re going to be away from home.
3. If possible, add delivery instructions for the company when you order your items. Amazon and other online retailers have a special box on the ordering form that allows you to leave instructions for the delivery person, so you can request that they put your package inside a screened porch, by the back door rather than your front door, etc.
4. If you know you won’t be home and aren’t able to have your package delivered to another location, request that the delivery company hold your package for you to pick up. FedEx and UPS both provide this service; call ahead of time to ask them for costs and terms.
5. Install an outdoor camera so you can see when you get a delivery. An outdoor camera gives you the ultimate peace of mind! You’ll be able to see who’s coming onto your property, and advanced AI technology means that you can even be alerted when someone out of the usual pulls into your driveway or walks into your yard.

 

 

Call Southern Alarm & Security to ask how we can help you protect your property and packages! We offer a range of plans that will fit your needs and budget. 

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!