It is the giving time of year, but for some it’s the taking time of year. Folks who break into homes and steal are well aware that Christmas is a prime time for expensive gifts to be under-the-tree-ripe for the picking.

A couple of local law enforcement agencies have released some tips to help discourage would-be thieves.

One of them involves what you do after the Christmas gift exchange.

Both York County Sheriff Bill King and Sanford Police urge homeowners and apartment dwellers to take the time to properly dispose of electronics and other boxes, so those who keep an eye on such things – with break-ins in mind – won’t be as tempted.

“Please take a little time and break down the boxes so you are not advertising the new contents of your home,” advised King.

Sanford Police agree.

“Don’t advertise the gifts you received,” the department said in a statement. “Placing your empty boxes outside for pickup shows thieves what is available inside your home. We definitely encourage you to recycle, but be smart about it. Break the boxes down, turn them inside out, put them in your trash receptacle and don’t place them on the curb until collection day. ”

Here are some tips from Sanford Police on the lead-up to Christmas Day:

Do not post your holiday travel plans online. Broadcasting the location or duration of your trip on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter can be dangerous. It may be something exciting you really want to share, but be aware that you are blatantly telling criminals, “I’m not home”.

Have a trusted friend or family member pick up your mail and newspapers. If you are going out of town, get someone you trust to check on your house and pick up your mail and newspapers. Nothing tells a thief you are not home like a week’s worth of newspapers on your driveway.

Add video monitoring to your security system. Pairing video monitoring and home automation allows you to check in on your house no matter where you are during the holidays. It’s the next best thing to being there.

Put your holiday lights on an automatic timer. This prevents thieves from learning your habits by taking note of when your lights are turned on and off. It is also a good idea to put your indoor lights on an automatic timer if you are vacationing for the holidays.

Secure your home. Make sure all your doors and windows have functioning locks and install a home security system. The easiest way for thieves to get into your home is through welcoming unlocked doors and windows.

Do not run extension cords for holiday lights through windows. Running extension cords through windows means that window cannot close and latch completely. This makes the window an easy entry point for burglars.

Do not store a spare key outside and make sure your gifts and valuables are not visible from the street. If a criminal can easily see what is in your home, you increase the chance they will be tempted to come inside to steal the items.

Be wary of people going door-to-door soliciting donations. This is a common ruse used by criminals. Ask to see an I.D. that connects them with the charity. Don’t feel pressured to give, trust your instincts and never give cash. Call 911 if you believe something is not right.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].