Holiday Tips from Protos Security

The holiday season can be incredibly busy, but it’s important to prioritize safety. We’d like to share these holiday tips so you can remain especially vigilant in both your personal and professional lives:

Home (and Work from Home) Holiday Safety

Leading up to the holidays, many households are storing more valuables than usual such as brand-new electronics, jewelry and in-demand toys. Home burglaries occur most often between 10 am and 3 pm as these are times when, at least before the pandemic, people are least likely to be at home. Although more people are working from home, it’s best to take precautions.

• Avoid storing presents in a garage, shed or other storage areas with weaker locks and keep them away from windows where they may be visible from outside.
• Store other valuable items (including cash) safely too – consider a safe or tougher-to-access areas, such as an upstairs closet or attic.
• Break down boxes (especially for purchases like valuable electronics) and put them in a recycling bin or trash bags to reduce visibility.
• Limit the amount of cash kept at home and avoid leaving cash in a wallet or purse near the door.
• Schedule deliveries for when someone will be home to receive packages or consider having them delivered to a neighbor who will be home.
• Keep lit candles away from flammable items such as trees or other decorations and ensure that no decorations impede foot traffic.

Vehicle Holiday Safety

Holiday purchases left unattended in the back seat of a car invite theft. In addition, winter weather across much of the country can add further dangers for vehicles, especially those which have been driven less often in recent months.

• Always lock car doors and never leave keys or valuables inside the vehicle, especially if a garage door opener is stored inside the vehicle.
• When shopping in person, make more valuable purchases toward the end of the shopping trip.
• Lock items in the trunk of the car or in a spot with minimal visibility, such as under a blanket on the floor.
• Avoid making unnecessary stops with items in the vehicle and remove all purchases from the car once home.
• Park in well-lit areas and maintain an awareness of your surroundings when entering and exiting your vehicle.
• Ensure that vehicles are still adequately maintained, even if they are driven less now.
• If PPE (personal protective equipment) such as masks are required in the area, store additional face coverings in the vehicle in case of an emergency.

Online Shopping Holiday Safety

Online shopping is more popular than ever, which leaves consumers vulnerable to scams and other cybercrime. Those who do not frequently shop online may also need to be especially careful.

• Choose reputable retailers who you know and trust or ask others for recommendations of trustworthy options.
• Ensure transactions take place over a secure server (check the URL for https, not just http).
• Remember to create strong and unique passwords for all accounts (password managers can help to keep track).
• Pay with credit cards when possible to reduce the risk of fraud and check bank statements closely so you can quickly report fraudulent activity.
• Be cautious with emails – check for red flags such as an unusual sender’s email address or links that lead to unexpected websites.

Workplace Holiday Safety

Many workplaces look different now – from hospitals with an increased presence onsite to small offices that only need occasional onsite maintenance.  Regardless of the cause, security needs are fluctuating more than ever, and clients need providers who can offer any array of flexible solutions.

• Remind lone workers onsite to remain vigilant and contact security or local law enforcement if any suspicious activity is observed.
• Look for security officers who are trained in and continuously updated on the latest safety measures, such as use of PPE and checking temperatures.
• Ensure there are sufficient additional staffing options for scheduled security officers who may call out sick.
• Embrace technology, such as remote security monitoring, for socially distant security along with the flexibility of being scaled up or down as the facility’s needs change.
• Consider security systems with speakers that enable remote communication between security and individuals onsite.