WEATHER ALERT
Jyesha Johnson
Published: December 26, 2024, at 7:45 AM
The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and giving. However, it can also attract unwanted attention from thieves looking for easy targets. One way criminals identify potential homes to target is by checking discarded trash for evidence of recent, high-value purchases. As Constable Mark Herman points out, “Criminals see those boxes after Christmas that had big-screen TVs, computers, iPads, or PlayStations, and they make a mental note to possibly come back to that house at a later time.”
Don’t let your holiday cheer turn into an opportunity for the “naughty guys.” Here are some simple tips to keep your home safe:
* Dispose of your Christmas packaging directly at a recycling center or dump station rather than leaving it curbside. Ensure your address is removed from all packaging to protect your identity and your home.
* When discarding boxes, break them into smaller pieces to make it difficult to identify what they originally contained. This also saves space in your recycling bin or trash can.
* Place broken-down boxes at the bottom of your trash or recycling bin. By covering them with other garbage or recyclables, you make it harder for thieves to spot what’s inside.
Taking these extra steps ensures you’re not advertising your holiday haul to criminals. Remember, a little caution now can save you from potential headaches later. Let’s start the new year off safe and secure!
*
About the Author: Jyesha Johnson, a Mississippi Delta girl who swapped small-town newsrooms for big-city screens at Houston’s KPRC 2, is all about telling stories—whether it’s on the web, social media, or over a good meal. When she’s not crafting content, you’ll find her outside soaking up nature or hunting down the best food spots.
*
(Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved. The following is website footer information.)
TV Listings | Email Newsletters | RSS Feeds | Contests and Rules | Contact Us | Meet the Team | Careers at KPRC | Closed Captioning / Audio Description | Public File | Current EEO Report | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Info | FCC Applications | Cookie Preferences
If you need help with the Public File, call (713) 778-4745.
At KPRC, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we are using Artificial Intelligence.
Copyright © 2024 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.