Don't Be an After-Christmas Theft Target

Ok, it's getting to be that time, just another week or so, and it will be Christmas. You shopped, you wrapped, and you stacked gifts under the tree. You can hardly wait to see your husband's face when he opens that 50 inch flat screen TV he's been hinting for. Your son will be surprised that you got him that new computer, because you told him you were not buying one. You are sure that the big box under the tree with your name on it is just to throw you off. In your heart you know that inside that box labeled 'Chef Cooking Set' is the diamond bracelet you want.

Skip ahead in time. It's now Christmas afternoon and the wrapping paper has been put taken care of, the new TV set is already on and it has a beautiful picture. Your son and his laptop are at the kitchen table showing off to the cousins. Your diamond bracelet is sparkling in the daylight. The world is a good place and you are a happy family. Come trash day, be sure you continue to be happy, and smart.

Once you put that empty box from the big screen TV on the sidewalk for the recycling guys, it's out of your mind, but someone else may be paying attention to it. A crook may be doing a little surveillance. He notes that you have a new TV. What does that mean to a thief? It means payday. He will wait until you go back to work and bingo, he has a 50 inch TV and a computer, and you have nothing but the bills.

What can you do to help avoid becoming a victim this Christmas Season? It's easy really, just follow a little advice:

Don't be an after-Christmas theft target:

* Do not put those big cardboard boxes on the sidewalk for the trash company to pick up.

* Take the cardboard boxes to your local recycling center, or

* Hang onto the boxes for future use if you think you might need them.

* To get rid of them on recycling day, cut them down and stack them together so that no one can read the word on the boxes.

* Don't tell the whole world what your plans are. Once you leave a message on Facebook that you will be gone the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, you have offered an open invitation to the underbellies of the world.

* If you have an alarm and monitoring system, use it. It won't work if you don't activate it.

* Beware of door-to-door 'salespeople' offering you unbelievable last-minute deals on electronics or appliances. The items are either 'hot', they don't work, or the boxes are empty.

* Be on guard when it comes to donating money or food items. Be sure the charity you donate to is a valid one.

This time of joy can easily turn into a time of pain and aggravation. Be smart, think smart and don't be an after-Christmas theft target.

My article "Christmas Traditions: A 1,500 Mile Road Trip" was selected and is posted on Yahoo! News - click here to read it.

Source:

Common Sense