We’ve officially jumped into the holiday spirit. You’ve made it through Halloween and Thanksgiving, Hanukkah has already begun and Christmas is just around the corner. You may have already started making a gift list (and perhaps even checked it twice) and are preparing for a bounty of feasts, either at home or while visiting somewhere else.

While there are plenty of opportunities to be merry, if you’re not careful, the holidays also introduce unique security risks. Luckily, by taking some precautions, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that come this time of year.

Here are a few winter holiday home security tips to keep the season jolly.

First, if several packages are delivered while you’re not home, they may be sitting outside throughout the day. If you know you’re going to be gone for a long time, ask your neighbors to watch your door and grab any boxes that arrive.  Keep curtains and shades drawn or set up the gift pile away from plain view. Eighty-three percent of criminals check for an alarm system before attempting to break into a home. And 34 percent use the front door, so always keep it locked.

Finally, most gifts come in packaging that announces what’s inside, which could be attractive to a burglar. Even several Amazon boxes can be telling to a criminal. While you may not be able to stop porch thieves from climbing on top of a delivery truck to swipe a package, you can safeguard your home. Wait until the morning of trash and recycling collection day to bring your packages out to the curb or take your packaging for major items directly to a nearby recycling center.

Also it's a good idea to check your fireplace and other detection devices. You may have holiday dreams of roasting chestnuts over an open fire, but make sure your fireplace is ready to go before you light a flame. If it’s been a while since you last inspected your chimney, you can have a professional come out to check your furnace and fireplace and make sure the area is devoid of debris like glass or dirt buildup.

Beyond securing your fireplace, test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Between cooking, fireplaces and keeping the house warm, you’re using more gas and heat during the holiday season. Check the batteries of your devices and clean out vents and air filters to make sure your air is as fresh as can be.

Be careful with your holiday lights. ‘Tis the season to hang up lights and decorations in an attempt to spread joy. Though a holiday display of lights brings ample cheer, take a few precautions to ensure they’re not also bringing any fire hazards or other security threats into the home.

Inspect your lights for distressed cords or cracked bulbs. Replace anything that’s damaged and buy cords that have been inspected by an independent third-party, which should be listed on the packaging. Don’t hang any lights near flammable objects, either. If a spark goes off, it could start an ignition. 

The holiday season brings more candles into the picture, too. You may be lighting a Hanukkah menorah, or perhaps you’re leaving a candle on the table so Santa can eat his milk and cookies while reading the Sunday paper. In 44% of fires, the flame is ignited by decorations being too close to a heat source, like candles or equipment.

Never leave an open flame unattended, and if you’re using candles for decor, consider alternative options, such as electric candles or string lights. Check that your fire extinguisher hasn’t expired and it’s easily accessible if the worst occurs. 

Keep the house well-lit throughout the holiday season, whether you’re inside or not. If you’re leaving your home for an extended period of time, consider setting your lights on a timer. That way, a potential intruder will think you’re home and will skip by your house to look for a more inviting target.

Finally, limit  social media updates.  We all want to show off our new gifts or travel plans — perhaps you’ve posted a photo of your plane’s wing during a trip — and social media is a great place to do that. But it could also be inviting to potential burglars.

When you announce to the world that you’re going on vacation, you also announce that your home will be unoccupied. Likewise, posting a photo of that brand new fancy present — a new computer, phone, jewelry or game system, for example — lets people know that not only do you have something valuable, but it’s also in mint condition.

Instead, hold off on posting about your trip until after you’ve returned. You can ask friends and family for recommendations beforehand (or even while you’re on vacation), but it doesn’t need to be broadcast across social platforms.

And if you need to brag about a cool gift you got, tell someone in person. It’s much better seeing the look on their face, anyway.

These holiday home security tips will minimize the risk of threats entering your home. Now grab a treat and enjoy the holiday season!