San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Home deliveries can pose risks
Safety precautions will helps avoid theft and spread of virus
The lingering coronavirus has kept many of us from frequenting the stores and restaurants we love. That means we’re having more goods and meals shipped and delivered to our homes than ever before. But while this practice is convenient, it may be putting your family and property at risk, the experts caution.
“Many of us are spending more time at home and going to stores far less, so we might be accepting more deliveries than ever before, including deliveries left on your doorstep,” said Elena Mauer, editor of Securitynerd.com in Charlotte, North Carolina. “But without taking proper safety precautions, you could risk exposing yourself to the virus and allow thieves to steal packages not promptly retrieved.”
Matthew Abraham, the owner of Robot Power Home in Plano, Texas, said several practices can leave you and your home vulnerable.
“Accepting a delivered package by hand at the door, especially if you or the delivery person aren’t wearing a mask or practicing safe distancing, is risky,” he said. “Not having a video doorbell or exterior security camera in place to ensure that packages are monitored while you are not at home can lead to theft of the goods. A delivery person who rings your doorbell or touches your doorknob can spread germs. And having a space for goods that is accessible to the delivery person and hidden from porch pirates is also recommended.”
Ilan Gershon, director of product management at Lorex Technology headquartered in Markham, Ontario, said your most important priority should be to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
“We still have so much to learn about this coronavirus, so it pays to be extra cautious when it comes to deliveries,” Gershon noted.
To safeguard your deliveries, home, and its occupants, consider following best practices and making home improve
ments — which can preserve your health as well as possibly boost your home’s resale value. “Add a video doorbell with a two-way talk feature. This way, you won’t have to open the door to speak to a delivery person; you can communicate via the app on your mobile phone or a smart speaker instead,” recommended Gershon. “This ensures that you maintain a safe distance. Plus, a video doorbell connects to your mobile phone and notifies you whenever motion is detected on your doorstep, which can prevent the theft of a delivered package.”
Secondly, ponder adding a security-based ecosystem to your property, which can also make it more appealing to prospective buyers when it’s time to sell your home. A good system typically includes one or more exterior video cameras, sensors for all exterior doors and windows and central monitoring that alerts the police if an alarm is triggered.
Next, avoid receiving the delivery physically unless you have to. Give clear instructions to your vendor on where and
how to drop off the goods.
“Choose a drop-off location near your front door but that is away from public sight,” Abraham said. “Also, direct the store and its delivery person ahead of time to set the delivery down and leave, without ringing the bell or touching any door surface. If you have to receive the package in person, ensure that you use your own pen to sign, keep a safe distance from the deliverer and wear a mask.”
Oswaldo Guerra, a real estate agent with Charles Rutenberg Realty, LLC, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, advised careful steps once you bring the package into your home.
“Disinfect the outside of the
package and its interior contents. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching or using the contents, and dispose of the packaging promptly,” Guerra said.
Lastly, consider investing in a package lockbox that earns a permanent spot on your front porch; with this option, delivery personnel and leave items safely inside the box.
“Boxlock is a padlock that can be used on the box and unlocked when the package tracking code is scanned by your delivery driver,” Mauer said. “Alternatively, some people like to use Amazon Key to unlock a garage door or car trunk to have the delivery person place the item inside.”