12/27/2014
Security warning!
By now you probably unwrapped most of your gifts and tossed those big boxes and wrapping paper to the curb.
To you it's just trash. But, to thieves lurking on the streets, it's an easy target for them to take a peak inside.
"Electronic equipment that's small and easy to carry. They come in computer boxes, other types of GPS units, cell phones, maybe small high definition television sets that are thin. All of those things can be stolen very easily," says security expert Chris Hartzell.
By leaving empty computer or TV boxes outside your home, you're giving the Christmas crooks opportunity.
And, if they happen to find something that catches their eye they now know exactly where to find it.
"So, now at that point in time, they look to see if there are no cars. It might tempt them to go ahead and commit a crime or burglary by breaking into a residence and take some high dollar items," says Chris Hartzell
As for matt, he's not taking any chances.
"What I do is I break those items down. Break the boxes down. Take my name off the box and then I make sure I don't put it out until the time for the recyclable people to pick it up," says matt.
Breaking down the boxes into smaller pieces and tossing them into dark garbage bags is a great way to shut the thieves out. Also learn when trash pickup is. that way you don't have to keep the garbage out longer than you need to. Chris hartzell says it's easy to not become a victim; just don't put your new items on display.
"Be smart about it. Don't televise what you have in the residence or the fact that you may be leaving," says hartzell.
As for matt he says taking a little extra time to cut those boxes down will hopefully protect him and his family from becoming a target