With the arrival of the holiday season, police are reminding people to take steps to protect packages, both at home and while out shopping. 

"While you91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™re busy making lists and checking them twice, so are porch pirates and parking lot prowlers," said Const. Chris Terleski, media relations officer for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. "With the increase in deliveries and shopping trips, it91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s important to stay one step ahead of would-be thieves. Don91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t let the holiday hustle and bustle turn into a humbug heartbreak and follow these tips to help keep your treasures safe and secure."

Here are the RCMP's tips for staying vigilant against the threat of porch pirates and other thieves. 

At home:

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Schedule deliveries: arrange for packages to be delivered when someone is home

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Track shipments: use tracking services and receive updates to know exactly when your packages arrive

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Can91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t be at home? Have someone like a friend, family member, or trusted neighbour retrieve it for you

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Choose an alternate delivery location: have packages delivered to your workplace or a secure pickup location

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Request signature: coordinate with carriers to ensure someone is available to receive the package

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Video surveillance: doorbell and other security cameras can deter thieves

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ If your package is stolen: file a report with the courier and notify police right away.

Out shopping: 

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Keep items out of sight: store purchases in your trunk and not on the passenger seats
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Lock your doors: ensure you vehicle is secure, even during short stops
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Be aware: pay attention to who is nearby when you are loading items into your car

If you see suspicious activity around vehicles or homes, report it immediately and directly to police. 

"Let91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s work together to make this holiday season merry, bright, and theft-free!" said Terleski.