DES MOINES, Iowa — Burglars and porch pirates are the busiest during the holiday season when homeowners are traveling and Christmas presents are being delivered. Here is how to protect your home and packages this holiday season.

Protect your home while traveling:

• Put lights on a timer to make it seem like people are home
• Arrange for snow removal if it snows while you are on vacation. Criminals could notice you are not home from an unplowed driveway
• Have a trusted neighbor or friend check on your house and pick up any mail or packages that are delivered

Protect your packages:

• Sign up for delivery notifications so you know when a package has been delivered
• Require a signature for delivery so you have to be present to pick up a package
• Have a friend or neighbor pick up a package as soon as it is delivered
• Install cameras to catch any porch pirates.

Sergeant Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department said package theft increases during the holidays.

“Our crimes against property section has more than a dozen detectives, and burglary is one of the main reasons we have that many of them. But they also investigate the package thefts. And that’s really what’s kind of leading the charge when it comes to property crimes these days are package thefts off of your doorstep,” Parizek said.