Holiday decoration theft has become an increasingly frustrating problem for many homeowners. Karen from Los Angeles shared her experience with us in an email, saying:
“We have criminals coming into our community and not only stealing mail and packages, but also holiday decorations. I made Christmas decorations for our mailbox and it was stolen very quickly.”
We’re sorry to hear about the theft in your neighborhood. This highlights a problem that goes beyond just property damage. It’s a theft of holiday joy and personal effort. Let’s look at how you can use technology to help protect your decorations.
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Stolen outdoor decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
Intelligent solutions for festival security
Karen also asked about the effects Samsung Smart Tagasking if the labels would work on her decorations and how far they would go. The good news is, Samsung Smart Tags can indeed be used for your holiday decorations. You can attach smart tags to any item you want to track. These devices are compatible with the latest Samsung Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S9, so many Android users can use them.
As for distance, range Samsung Smart Tag Connect to your phone using Bluetooth. If an item is within Bluetooth range, you can ring it to find it, or use the Find Nearby feature to get directions to the item. If the item is out of range, other Samsung devices near the tag will anonymously locate it for you and then let you know where it is. This is done in the background and is encrypted to ensure privacy. When a smart tag goes out of range, it will not beep.
this Samsung Smart Tag Compatible with almost all recently released Samsung Galaxy phones. They must have 2GB RAM and run Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher. Therefore, your Samsung Galaxy S9 phone should be compatible with Samsung SmartTag.
Outdoor Christmas decoration. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
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Apple AirTags: Another approach
For those considering switching Apple, AirTags Come up with another viable option. Karen asked if she would have problems tracking ornaments using Apple AirTags. Although primarily designed for iOS devices, You can use it with Android phones as described in our articlewith some restrictions. It uses the Find My network, which will be notified of the location of the lost item if another Apple device passes the AirTag.
The AirTag will not beep when it is out of range. However, AirTag’s precise positioning feature provides highly accurate tracking and is only compatible with the iPhone 11 series and above. If you’re considering buying an iPhone, the iPhone 11 is a relatively cheap option and is compatible with AirTag’s pinpoint lookup feature.
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Outdoor Christmas decoration. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
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Samsung SmartTags and Apple AirTags
Both Samsung Smart Tag Apple AirTags offer extensive tracking capabilities. SmartTag uses Bluetooth for nearby tracking and relies on other Samsung devices for remote positioning. Similarly, aviation label Use the Find My network to relay location information from nearby Apple devices.
For Samsung users like Karen smart label It’s the natural choice to work seamlessly with Galaxy devices. Those considering Apple might consider aviation label as an option.
Please note that while these tags can help you track your items, they may not prevent theft because they are not concealment devices and can be removed by someone who identifies them.
Outdoor Christmas decoration. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
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Other tips for festival safety
1. Use an action to launch the camera: Install Motion activated security camera Monitor your decor. Many security cameras will send instant notifications to your phone so you can take quick action if someone is tampering with your property.
2.Safety decoration: Consider using zippers, chains or locks to secure your decorations. While this won’t stop all thieves, it can make stealing more difficult and time-consuming.
3. Light up: Well-lit areas are less attractive to thieves. Make sure your patio and decorations have adequate lighting outdoor lightsespecially in dark corners or near entry points.
4. Interact with neighbors: Create a sense of community by alerting neighbors to theft and suspicious activity. Connected neighborhoods can act as a powerful deterrent.
5. Mark your property: Use invisible ink or engrave a unique identification number on your ornament. If the stolen item is recovered, this will help law enforcement return it to you.
6. Report the theft to local law enforcement: Always report theft, no matter how small. Law enforcement can track incident patterns and increase patrols in areas with frequent incidents. Providing details can also help them recover stolen items.
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Outdoor Christmas decoration. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Karen expressed her frustration in an email: “I know it seems trivial…but it’s so frustrating to see something you spent time, money and a little love being stolen.” The desire to protect holiday decorations transcends not material value, but rather the joy and effort put into creating a festive atmosphere. As we embrace these technologies, let us also remember the importance of community vigilance and mutual respect.
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Have you ever used a tracking device, security camera, or other gadget to protect your decorations? What works well and what would you recommend to others? Please write to us Cyberguy.com/contact
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