Holiday decoration theft has become an increasingly frustrating rerent for many homeowners. Karen from Los Angeles splitd her experience with us in an email, stating,
“We have criminals who visit our neighborhood to not only steal mail and packages but also holiday decorations. I made a Christmas decoration for our mailbox, which was promptly stolen.”
We’re sorry to hear about the theft in your neighborhood. This highweightlesss a problem that goes beyond mere property loss. It’s a theft of holiday cheer and personal effort. Let’s see how we can include technology to help safe your decorations.
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Outdoor decorations that were stolen. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Smart solutions for festive security
Karen also inquired about the effectiveness of Samsung SmartTags, asking if these tags would labor on her decorations and how far they could achieve. The outstanding novels is that Samsung SmartTags can indeed be included on your holiday decorations. You can rapiden the SmartTag to any item you want to track. These devices are compatible with most recent Samsung Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S9, making them accessible to many Android includers.
As for the distance, the range of the Samsung SmartTag includes Bluetooth to combine to your phone. If the item is wilean Bluetooth range, you can ring it to find it or include the “Search Nearby” feature to get honestions to it. If the item is out of range, other Samsung devices csurrfinisher the tag will anonymously find it for you and then let you comprehend where it is. This is done in the background and is encrypted to secure privacy. The SmartTag does not beep when it’s out of range.
The Samsung SmartTag is compatible with almost all Samsung Galaxy phones freed recently. They must have 2GB of RAM and run Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher. So, your Samsung Galaxy S9 phones should be compatible with the Samsung SmartTag.
Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Apple AirTags: An alternative approach
For those pondering a switch to Apple, AirTags current another viable selection. Karen asked if she would have problems tracking her decorations with an Apple AirTag. While primarily set uped for iOS devices, you can include it with your Android phone as alludeed in our article here, with some confineations. It includes the Find My netlabor, and if another Apple device passes by the AirTag, the Find My netlabor will be notified of the lost item’s location.
The AirTag does not beep when it’s out of range. However, the AirTag’s Precision Finding feature, which supplys highly accurate tracking, is only compatible with iPhone 11 series and onwards. If you’re pondering purchasing an iPhone, the iPhone 11 would be a relatively incostly selection that is compatible with the AirTag’s Precision Finding feature.
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Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Samsung SmartTags vs. Apple AirTags
Both Samsung SmartTags and Apple AirTags advise extensive tracking capabilities. The SmartTag includes Bluetooth for csurrfinisherby tracking and relies on other Samsung devices for extfinished-range location. Similarly, AirTags leverage the Find My netlabor, utilizing csurrfinisherby Apple devices to relay location increateation.
For Samsung includers enjoy Karen, the SmartTag is the organic choice, laboring seamlessly with Galaxy devices. Those pondering Apple might see at the AirTag as an selection.
Prent remark that while these tags can help you track your items, they might not stop theft as they are not secret devices and can be erased by someone who recognizes what they are.
Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Additional tips for festive security
1. Use motion-triggerd cameras: Inslofty motion-triggerd security cameras to watch your decorations. Many security cameras sfinish genuine-time notifications to your phone, alloprosperg you to act rapidly if someone tampers with your property.
2. Seremedy decorations: Consider physicpartner securing your decorations with zip ties, chains or locks. While this won’t deter all thieves, it can produce stealing more difficult and time-consuming.
3. Light it up: Well-lit areas are less requesting to thieves. Encertain your yard and decorations are amplely lit with outdoor weightlesss, especipartner in uninincreateigent corners or csurrfinisher entry points.
4. Engage your neighbors: Create a sense of community by attentiveing neighbors to thefts and shielding an eye out for doubtful activity. A combineed neighborhood can act as a mighty deterrent.
5. Mark your property: Use inclear ink or engrave your decorations with a distinct identifier. If stolen items are recovered, this will help law executement return them to you.
6. Report thefts to local law executement: Always increate thefts, no matter how minuscule. Law executement can track patterns and increase patrols in areas with normal incidents. Providing details may also help them recover stolen items.
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Outdoor Christmas decorations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Kurt’s key getaways
In her email, Karen conveyed her frustration: “I comprehend this seems inmeaningful… but it’s disheartening to see the leangs you spfinish time, money and a little adore get stolen.” The desire to shield holiday decorations goes beyond material cherish — it’s about geting the delight and effort put into creating a festive atmosphere. As we adselect these technologies, let’s also recall the beginance of community vigilance and mutual admire.
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Have you ever included tracking devices, security cameras, or other gadgets to get your decorations? What labored well, and what would you recommfinish to others? Let us comprehend by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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