The holidays bring joy, travel, gift-giving, and, unfortunately, a yearly spike in property crimes, porch thefts, and home accidents. Whether you’re packing your bags to visit family or preparing to host a full house, a few proactive safety tips can go a long way in keeping your home and loved ones protected.

Here are Post Alarm’s top recommendations to reduce risk, prevent crime, and maintain peace of mind throughout the season.

Holiday Safety Tips While Traveling

The holidays are a wonderful reason to spend some time away from home and reconnect with family or friends. Whether you are traveling across the neighborhood for the day or across the country for a week, an empty home can attract unwanted attention.

Strong practices before you leave can help deter burglars, protect your packages, and generally lower your chance of being targeted for a crime.

1. Secure Your Home Before Traveling

At Post Alarm, we preach the Rule of 5’s when it comes to alarming your security system. That is to say: always arm your system, whether you’re leaving your home for 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, or 5 weeks. It only takes a few short moments for a crime to occur, and short trips away from home can increase your risk of encountering an intruder if a crime is in progress. Always remember, your alarm system only works when it’s activated.

Additionally, make sure all doors, windows, and any other entry points are securely locked when you leave the house. And if you’ve practiced using light timers with holiday decor, consider the same with smart lights inside your home. A place that appears occupied can often be a deterrent in itself.

2. Protect Your Holiday Deliveries

Whether receiving gifts from friends and family or purchasing items yourself, the holidays typically bring an excess of deliveries to doorsteps throughout the United States. And with it comes the inevitable uptick in package thefts.

The United States Postal Service reported that roughly 58 million packages were stolen last year, resulting in estimated losses of $5.2-16 billion. In Los Angeles alone, the number of reported package thefts nearly doubled in December 2023.

With increased porch pirate activity this time of year, it’s important to consider extra delivery measures to help prevent package theft:

• Utilize package lockers for secure deliveries
• Require signatures for all orders
• Send deliveries to your workplace or a trusted neighbor if you know you will be away
• Utilize doorbell cameras to keep an eye on packages during delivery windows

If you know you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, you might consider holding your mail and deliveries altogether to avoid visible piles outside.

3. Don’t Advertise an Empty Home

In our current social media world, it might be tempting to share an exciting upcoming trip. But advertising an empty home for an extended period of time is a sure way to increase your risk of a burglary while you’re away.

Even if your profiles are set to private or friends and family, it’s just not worth the risk. You might tell a trusted neighbor you’ll be away so they can keep an eye on your property and any package deliveries. After all, building safer communities often begins with simply maintaining better connections with your neighbors. Save travel photos and location-tagged posts for when you return.

4. Consider Live Video Monitoring

Upgrading your existing security system to include professionally designed camera systems and even live video monitoring, which add a strong layer of deterrence and provide crucial evidence should something happen while you’re away.

Plus, you get the added peace of mind and benefits that come with professionally monitored cameras, like:

• Advanced analytics that provide enhanced detection for identifying and addressing potential security threats
• Remote viewing options to watch live camera feeds and check in on your home from any smart device
• Real-time alerts and push notifications let you take immediate action in the event of an intrusion or trespass

5. Vacation Watch Services

If your security company provides patrol services, consider inquiring about vacation watch. Beyond the visible deterrence and immediate response to alarm events, professional security patrol services often provide additional check-ins upon special request to verify that your home and property are secure while you are away.

6. Document Valuables Before You Leave

Finally, documenting your valuables before you leave helps you proactively protect their value. Quickly photograph important items (electronics, jewelry, tools) and store them in a secure cloud folder. While you shouldn’t be riddled with the anxiety that you’ll be robbed while away, it’s simple and incredibly useful if you ever need to file a police report or insurance claim.

Holiday Safety Tips While Hosting

There’s no place like home for the holidays. But when you’re hosting gatherings, there’s certainly “more” of everything. More people in the house, more cooking, more decor, more deliveries, and potentially more risk in general.

Use these tips to help keep gatherings safe, secure, and stress-free.

7. Stay Alert While Cooking

Holiday meal prep brings a major spike in kitchen fires. The American Red Cross sees an annual house fire spike of nearly 20% during the months of November and December.

Keep your kitchen safe this season by:

• Never leaving cooking unattended
• Keeping flammables (like towels, decorations, and loose clothing) away from burners
• Use timers to stay on track, especially with added conversation and visiting
• Test your fire alarm systems and replace any old batteries

8. Keep Decorations Safe

Holiday lighting, candles, and dry Christmas trees can all become hazards if left unchecked. Make sure the serene setting you’ve worked hard to build stays fire-free:

• Keep Christmas trees at least 3 feet away from any heat sources
• Inspect light strands for damage or faulty lights
• Avoid overloaded outlets and using too many extension cords
• Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord
• Always unplug electronic decorations before bed or utilize timers
• Never leave candles burning unattended or overnight

9. Watch for Follow-Home or Shopping-Related Theft

Thieves often watch shoppers leaving malls or boutiques with high-value items. Keep purchases out of sight, avoid leaving bags in your car, and stay aware of your surroundings — especially after dark.

Practice safe habits when arriving back home to guard against follow-home robberies:

• Stay mindful of your surroundings throughout your journey when arriving home.
• Review any alarm and video push notifications before pulling into your driveway to make sure there’s no criminal activity/trespassing.
• Never remotely unlock your front door or disarm your system until you’re sure it’s safe to do so.
• Don’t leave your garage door remote in your vehicle, even if you’re parked in your driveway
• Park vehicles securely, hide valuables, and avoid leaving expensive purchases visible, especially overnight or if guests come and go.

10. Hide Gifts (and Break Down Packaging)

Don’t advertise all those brand new valuables! A pile of gift boxes — especially from big-ticket items — can reveal exactly what’s inside your home. Break down boxes for televisions, computers, jewelry, or any other high-value gifts and recycle them off-site.

Protecting the Neighborhoods We Call Home Since 1956

When it comes to home protection, a few simple steps can make a big difference — no matter the time of year. Post Alarm is here to help keep your home safe and secure this holiday season and beyond!

For more than sixty years, Post Alarm has provided customers with the most advanced and reliable security solutions available. As a privately held, local, third-generation family business, Post has provided alarm and patrol services to Southern California communities, neighborhoods, and homeowners since 1956.

Our family founded Post Alarm with a passion for protecting people and the neighborhoods we call home. Now, we’re one of the few local, full-service security organizations in Southern California, providing professionally installed, fully integrated, and customized security solutions that enable earlier threat detection and a synchronized response, getting you help faster when it matters most.

Ready to start building your custom video monitoring and security package? Reach out and get a free security quote today!

It’s that time of year again! Long summer days lead to dark autumn evenings, and the cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns begin to emerge as anticipation for Halloween night grows. And what’s not to love? The season offers children and communities the chance to connect over fun scares, costumes, and, of course, candy!

Whether you’re planning to accompany the trick-or-treaters in your home or welcome costumed candy collectors at your front door, consider these Halloween safety tips from Post Alarm.

1. Carefully Supervise Young Children While Trick-or-Treating

While it may go without saying, keeping a close watch on younger children while trick-or-treating is especially important on Halloween. The perceived freedom of the night can bring you and your neighbors a sense of security. That’s not a bad thing; Halloween should be fun and safe for everyone.

But combine large crowds, costumes, and the excitement of running house to house, and it can get easy to lose track of your trick-or-treaters. However, close supervision doesn’t have to be overly intrusive. It can be as simple as adding a distinguishing marker on your child’s costume to help them stand out more.

2. Consider Reflective Tape or Flashlights

Pedestrian protection is a general Halloween safety concern (more on that later!), especially when combining an evening activity with dark costumes. While more people are walking in neighborhoods on Halloween, that doesn’t mean there’s a total absence of vehicles.

Just adding reflective tape to a costume or carrying a flashlight can make the difference in standing out to a driver and making your presence known. Depending on your costume, you might even have the opportunity to add a light-up accessory. Think light sabers for “Star Wars” characters or “magic” wands for princesses. A little creativity goes a long way towards Halloween safety.

3. Stay in Familiar Neighborhoods

You might consider setting some basic parameters for older children going trick-or-treating alone for the first time. Explain what streets and neighborhoods they should stick to and what to do if they get lost or separated from their group.

Before the festivities even begin, it may be wise to help them create a “buddy system” of at least one other friend or attendee whom they’re each responsible for to prevent walking alone and make sure everyone gets home safely.

4. Follow Community Guidelines

Depending on the day of the week, many communities choose a weekend day for Halloween festivities to generally take place. Often, there are set times for trick-or-treating. Do your research and make sure your Halloween plans align with any “officially” sanctioned days, times, and even designated trick-or-treat routes.

5. Prioritize Pedestrian Safety

As we mentioned earlier, an increase in pedestrian traffic doesn’t necessarily mean it’s automatically safer. Treat Halloween like you would any other day. That means following the rules of the road and obeying any traffic signs and signals. Stick to sidewalks when possible and try to cross streets at designated crosswalks and popular intersections.

Just because there may be fewer vehicles on the road, always be cautious of drivers in every direction.

6. For Drivers: Stay Vigilant on the Road

On the other hand, drivers need to be extra vigilant on a day like Halloween. Keep a watchful eye out for pedestrian groups in larger numbers and in dark costumes, as more foot traffic may spill onto the street in unexpected ways. Be extra alert for small children, who may be harder to spot.

Remember: Slower speeds save lives! Don’t be afraid to be late if it means arriving at your destination safely. And if you’re attending an adult Halloween party, never drink and drive.

7. Discuss Plans with Neighbors

Another great aspect of Halloween celebrations is the chance to connect with your community. Neighbors join each other in handing out candy or accompanying children while trick-or-treating, while generally keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity.

If you’re not going to be home for Halloween, let your neighbors know so they can help keep your house undisturbed. And if you decide to leave a “take one” candy bowl out, they can help any would-be greedy trick-or-treaters stick to the honor system!

8. Consider Your Home Security

While Halloween is generally a time for safe, spooky fun, it also traditionally inspires some mischief. What might seem like harmless pranks can quickly turn into a security risk. If nothing else, it is a good reminder to consider investing more in your layered security.

Proper lighting for driveways and walkways, doorbell cameras and video monitoring systems to keep track of activity while you’re out of the house, and of course, automatic locks and an active alarm system all add up to better safety and security well beyond Halloween night.

9. Inspect Treats Before Eating Them

The idea of nefarious criminals tampering with Halloween candy is generally considered a myth. But it doesn’t hurt to add an extra layer of safety when counting your Halloween spoils at the end of the night.

Here are some Halloween safety tips to consider regarding candy:

• Signs of tampering might include tiny pinholes and tears in the wrapper or an unusual appearance or discoloration in the candy itself.
• If it looks like a wrapper has already been opened, just throw it away. It’s not worth the risk!
• Always check labels and ingredient lists for potential allergens.
• Be aware of choking hazards with small, hard candies and anything with chewing gum.

10. Give Trunk-or-Treat Alternatives a Try

Over the decades, trick-or-treat alternatives like “trunk-or-treating” have grown in popularity as a safer, more controlled way to celebrate. As the name suggests, trunk-or-treating usually takes place in large, open areas, where parked vehicles serve as doorsteps.

And much like homes that go all-out in haunted house decorations, there’s a ton of creative potential in creating spooky scenes to keep the festivities active. Activities like trunk-or-treating are especially safe options for younger children and anyone living in an area where large-scale trick-or-treating doesn’t occur.

Keep a close eye on your local community events, as there may be a great trick-or-treating alternative near you. You might even consider organizing a similar event with friends and neighbors.

Protecting the Neighborhoods We Call Home Since 1956

Halloween Night should be a time to create memories that last a lifetime. And with the right approach to safety, you can ensure your only scares come from cavity worries!

For more than sixty years, Post Alarm has provided customers with the most advanced and reliable security solutions available. As a privately held, local, third-generation family business, Post has provided alarm and patrol services to Southern California communities, neighborhoods, and homeowners since 1956.

Our family founded Post Alarm with a passion for protecting people and the neighborhoods we call home. Now, we’re one of the few local, full-service security organizations in Southern California, providing professionally installed, fully integrated, and customized security solutions that enable earlier threat detection and a synchronized response, getting you help faster when it matters most.

Ready to start building your custom video monitoring and security package? Reach out and get a free security quote today!

Your home should always be a place of safety and comfort. And the right home security system brings an extra sense of calm in knowing you and your family are protected, whether you’re home or not. But practicing strong safety habits doesn’t start and end at your doorstep.

In recent years, the LAPD has warned of possible upticks in “follow home robberies,” in which victims of this type of crime are followed home or to their place of business and targeted for robbery.

Safety starts wherever you’re coming from, and should begin before, during, and after your journey home. Learn more about follow home robberies and some simple habits to better protect yourself from this type of crime.

What are Follow Home Robberies?

A follow home robbery is a crime in which an individual is stalked or followed from a public location to their home, where they are then robbed. It might occur when traveling back from high-end districts, stores, restaurants, or events.

In 2022, the LAPD investigated 328 follow-home robberies and made 122 connected arrests, with many follow-home robberies taking place in the Hollywood or Wilshire areas.

This type of robbery often targets individuals who may appear to be carrying valuables, such as shopping bags, electronics, fine jewelry, or cash. Some other common scenarios in which follow home robberies occur include:

• After shopping – think high-end retail stores, jewelry shops, or crowded malls.
• Leaving an upscale dining experience.
• Cash-based businesses like casinos.
• Social events or gathering places like parties, bars, and clubs.
• After ATM withdrawals.

Always remember to stay vigilant of your surroundings and any potential followers when driving home or entering and exiting your vehicle.

Before Getting in Your Vehicle

Often, simply staying aware of your surroundings goes a long way in protecting yourself. When heading back to your car, always have your keys ready before reaching your vehicle.

Situational awareness in public spaces also includes:

• Staying mindful of any individuals in your proximity when leaving stores, restaurants, or any of the potentially targeted spaces listed above.
• Keeping an eye out for any suspicious individuals or groups who mirror your movements in parking lots or enter their vehicles at the same time as you.
• If in a crowded parking lot, stay mindful of any would-be robbers lying or hiding between parked cars.

You don’t need to carry extreme fears or anxieties every time you leave the house. Situational awareness can be as simple as practicing classic “stranger danger” habits to better protect yourself.

Protect Yourself While Driving Home

Once you’re driving and on your way home, simply staying present can help prevent a potential crime. So avoid distractions like your phone, which you shouldn’t use while driving anyways!

You might also break routines by occasionally taking different routes home. Should you think another vehicle is following you, take a few different turns to see if it is the same vehicle behind you throughout your journey home.

As you arrive in your neighborhood, keep a close watch for any groups or individuals loitering or any suspicious vehicles sitting idly.

Before Pulling into Your Driveway

When you finally arrive home, it’s still not time to let your guard fully down. If you installed any surveillance cameras or a doorbell camera, check for any push notifications of activity before pulling into your driveway. And if another vehicle is behind you, pull over on the street. In either case, should there be nefarious activity happening, you don’t want to be blocked in your driveway.

Finally, take a quick scan of the front of your residence to ensure no one is hiding. And never remotely unlock your front door until you’re absolutely sure it’s safe to do so.

What to Do if You Suspect You’re Being Followed

If you do find yourself in a situation where you suspect you’re being followed, do not stop driving, and do not head straight for home. Instead, drive to a safe location like a police station or another crowded, public space.

Call for help if necessary, and provide as much details to police about the make and model of the suspicious vehicle. If more than one member of your family regularly drives, take the time to talk through emergency plans. Set up emergency contacts, meeting places and general protocols with your family.

Additional Security Recommendations

It never hurts to strengthen your security touch points at your home’s exterior to help ward off follow home robberies. You might consider additional lighting for your driveway and all entry points to eliminate potential hiding places. And for an added layer of security, perimeter security measures like additional cameras and sensors can alert you of any unusual activity on your property.

Finally, there’s always strength in numbers. Avoid traveling alone if possible, and connect with your neighbors and community. Stay involved with any neighborhood watch programs and pay attention to community notifications that might affect you.

And for all Post Patrol subscribers, officers are regularly active in your neighborhood and available to escort residents safely inside their homes.

Shields Up. Since 1956.

Living with fear every time you leave the house is not sustainable. But taking a few simple mental notes when you are out and about can ensure you always make it home safe and sound. And for better protection for your home and family, there’s Post Alarm.

We’ve always been a local, family-owned company, and we plan on staying that way. As a privately held, third generation family business, Post has provided Alarm and Patrol Services to communities, neighborhoods, and homeowners since 1956.

Our family founded Post Alarm on a passion for protecting people and the neighborhoods we call home. Now, we’re one of the only local, full-service security organizations in the Southern California area providing professionally installed, fully integrated, customized security solutions that result in earlier threat detection and synchronized response, getting you help faster when it matters most.

Ready to start building your custom home security package? Reach out and get a free security quote today!