After unwrapping the presents, many of us just want to get rid of all the clutter. But police tell News4’s Mark Segraves that you should be cautious about the boxes you put on the curb after the holidays.
Did you get a nice big TV for the holidays? One of those cool drones? Or a new computer?
Congrats. And if you want to keep it, take a few extra steps before you throw out the box.
Fairfax County Police issued a video warning Sunday warning people that theives sometimes watch for boxes outside homes to see if there are big-ticket items inside worth stealing.
That could lead to a home break-in.
It's a technique that police across the country have seen. "I've had suspects tell me they specifically targeted a home after they saw a box in a trash can," said Sheriff Mark Gower of Iron County, Utah, in a 2013 story from USA Today.
You can avoid being a victim by breaking boxes down and turning them inside-out, or by concealing them in larger bins or trash bags, Fairfax County police said, as part of their "12 Days of Holiday Safety Tips."
