The festive season, kicking off with the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, means one thing for UK shoppers: a mountain of parcels! While online shopping is convenient, the sheer volume of deliveries between November and Christmas can lead to delays, missed deliveries, and, worryingly, an increased risk of parcel theft and burglary.
Here's our essential advice for securing your festive finds, keeping both your parcels and your home safe.
📦 Ditch Home Delivery: Embrace the Parcel Locker
The single best way to protect your purchases is to stop them being left on your doorstep. With delivery drivers under immense pressure, packages can be left in 'safe places' that aren't very safe, or simply left out in the open.
Why Choose a Locker?
Security: Services like Amazon Locker, InPost, and those offered by other couriers (like Evri's Lockers or Royal Mail's Local Collect at Post Offices) are secure, often monitored by CCTV, and require a unique code or QR code for collection.
Convenience: Most lockers are available 24/7, meaning you can collect your items at a time that suits you—no more rushing home before the post office closes or waiting in for a driver.
Avoid Advertising: A package left outside your house is a clear sign to thieves that you're not home and valuable goods are present. Lockers keep your shopping discreet.
💡 Top Tip: When checking out online, look for the 'Deliver to a pickup location' or 'Locker' option instead of your home address. Check the locker location's specific holding time (it's usually a few days) so you don't miss the collection window.
🏠 Protect Your Home: Sensible Disposal of Packaging
Once your festive shopping is safely home, the next crucial step is to discard the evidence. A recycling bin overflowing with branded boxes and packaging from high-value electronics or luxury goods is essentially an advertisement for potential burglars.
How to Discard Smartly:
Break Down and Conceal: Always break down boxes completely so they lie flat. Better yet, turn them inside out before folding. This hides brand names and logos.
Don't Rush: Avoid putting out all your high-value packaging in one go. If you've bought a new TV, tablet, and game console, spread the disposal of the boxes over several weeks, mixing them in with general cardboard waste.
Use the Caddy/Bin Correctly: If you have a closed recycling bin or caddy, make sure the packaging is fully inside with the lid closed. Do not leave large, identifiable boxes sitting next to the bin on collection day.
Consider a Trip to the Tip: For particularly large or valuable item boxes, consider taking them directly to a local recycling centre or waste disposal site instead of leaving them out for kerbside collection.
By making a small change to your delivery method and being vigilant about your waste, you can enjoy your Black Friday bargains and Christmas gifts without the worry.
