Four Tips for How to Protect Your Home this Holiday Season

In the U.S., December is the peak month for burglaries.^[1] Families are often travelling and visiting loved ones during this time – leaving their empty homes behind.

Not surprisingly, the holiday season is also the peak time for package deliveries. UPS estimates that it will deliver 40 million packages per day during the holiday season – double the average number delivered during non-peak seasons.^[2]

This increase in package deliveries directly affects crime rates: in fact, about 26 million Americans have reported having a holiday package stolen from their front doorstep.^[3]

Avoid becoming a statistic. Arlo devices are a great first step towards protecting your home. Learn more about the additional measures you can take to protect your home with our expert security tips below.

Reduce package theft. A staggering 30% of Americans say that they have experienced package theft.^[4] Installing an Arlo wire-free camera or Arlo Video Doorbell near your front door can help to deter package thieves. In fact, about 60% of convicted burglars stated the presence of a security system influenced their decision to target a different home.^[5]
Did you know? Arlo Smart adds advanced features to your devices for more personalized alerts. For example, you’ll receive real-time alerts when people, pets, packages, or vehicles approach your home. Click here to learn more about Arlo Smart.
Arm your security system. To help prevent your home from being burglarized, check to ensure your security system is armed before leaving, even if it’s for a short period of time. Surprisingly, it has been found that most burglaries take place in the middle of the day – specifically between 12pm-4pm.^[6]
Did you know? Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra cameras are equipped with built-in smart sirens to help keep your home secure. You can set them up to activate when motion is detected, or manually activate in the instance of an emergency. Click here to learn more about arming and disarming your cameras, creating rules to include a smart siren trigger, and more.
Keep outdoor areas well-lit. Prepare for dark winter evenings by installing security lights outside your home. A recent study conducted by the NYCPD found that outdoor lighting cuts crime by 39%.^[7] Outdoor lights fight crime by increasing visibility, which draws attention to unwanted visitors. Security lighting can also be a key indicator that additional security measures, such as cameras, are installed on the premises.
Consider adding an Arlo Pro 3 or Arlo Ultra camera to your security setup – both cameras feature an integrated spotlight to light up the night. Featuring color night vision and more, these cameras allow you to view your videos in sharp 2K or 4K resolution for maximum protection. Learn more about Arlo Pro 3 cameras here or Arlo Ultra cameras here.
Use social media wisely. Never announce your travel plans or whereabouts on social media sites. In a recent survey of 50 convicted burglars in the UK, 40 said that social media was being used to identify properties with absent owners^[9]. To avoid being targeted, wait until after you get home to post your travel blog and photos.

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