How to make sure your Christmas decorations are stolen

Theft of holiday decorations has become a frustrating problem for many homeowners. Karen from Los Angeles shared her experience with us via email, saying,

“We have criminals visiting our area to not only steal mail and packages but also holiday decorations. I made a Christmas decoration for our mailbox, it was stolen quickly.”

We are sorry to hear about the theft in your area. This highlights a problem that goes beyond just the loss of property. It is a theft of holiday joy and personal effort. Let's see how we can use technology to help protect your decorations.

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Smart solutions for holiday security

Karen also asked about the performance of Samsung SmartTagsasking if these tags will work on his decorations and how far they can go. The good news is that Samsung SmartTags can actually be used in your holiday decorations. You can attach a SmartTag to any object you want to track. These devices are compatible with the latest Samsung Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S9, making them accessible to many Android users.

As for distance, the range of Samsung SmartTag It uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone. If an object is within Bluetooth range, you can ring it to find it or use the “Search Nearby” feature to get directions to it. If an item is out of range, other Samsung devices near the tag will anonymously find it for you and let you know where it is. This is done in the background and encrypted to ensure privacy. The SmartTag does not emit when it is out of range.

I Samsung SmartTag it is compatible with almost all recently released Samsung Galaxy phones. They must have 2GB of RAM and run Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher. So, your Samsung Galaxy S9 phones should be compatible with Samsung SmartTag.

Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Apple AirTags: An alternative

For those thinking of switching to Apple, AirTags present another active option. Karen asked if she would have trouble tracking her ornaments with the Apple AirTag. While it is mainly designed for iOS devices, you can use it with your Android phone as mentioned in our article hereand some limitations. It uses the Find My network, and when another Apple device passes through the AirTag, the Find My network will be notified of the location of the lost item.

The AirTag does not beep when it is out of range. However, AirTag's Precision Finding feature, which provides highly accurate tracking, is only compatible with the iPhone 11 series and onwards. If you're thinking of buying an iPhone, the iPhone 11 could be a more affordable option with the AirTag Accuracy Detection feature.

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Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Samsung SmartTags vs. Apple AirTags

Both Samsung SmartTags and Apple AirTags offer extensive tracking capabilities. SmartTag uses Bluetooth for proximity tracking and relies on other Samsung devices for long-range location. Likewise, AirTags use the Find My network, using nearby Apple devices to share location information.

For Samsung users like Karen, the SmartTag a natural choice, working seamlessly with Galaxy devices. Those considering Apple might take a look AirTag as an option.

Please note that while these tags can help you track your items, they may not prevent theft as they are not hidden devices and can be removed by someone who sees them.

Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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More tips for holiday safety

1. Use motion-activated cameras: Enter security cameras are activated guarding your decorations. Many security cameras send real-time notifications to your phone, allowing you to act quickly if someone tampers with your property.

2. Secure decorations: Consider physically securing your ornaments with zip ties, chains or padlocks. While this won't stop all thieves, it can make theft more difficult and time-consuming.

3. Light: Well-lit areas are less attractive to thieves. Make sure your yard and landscaping are adequately lit outdoor lightsespecially in dark corners or near entrances.

4. Connect with your neighbors: Create a sense of community by alerting neighbors to burglaries and monitoring suspicious activity. A contiguous area can act as a powerful deterrent.

5. Mark your property: Use invisible ink or engrave your decorations with a unique identifier. If the stolen items are found, this will help law enforcement get them back to you.

6. Report the theft to local law enforcement: Always report theft, no matter how small. Law enforcement can track patterns and increase patrols in areas with frequent incidents. Providing information may also help them recover stolen items.

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Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt's priority is taking

In her email, Karen expressed her frustration: “I know this seems small… but it's disheartening to see things you spend time, money and a little love stolen from.” The desire to protect holiday decorations goes beyond material value — it's about protecting the joy and effort put into creating a happy atmosphere. As we embrace this technology, let's also remember the importance of social caution and mutual respect.

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Have you ever used tracking devices, security cameras, or other gadgets to protect your decorations? What worked well, and what would you recommend to others? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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