The months of July and August are amongst the top months for both family travel and home theft, according to a press release. Across the country, State Farm customers have reported 74,676 theft claims. According to a press release, the most theft claims occurring in the months of July with 5,952 and August with 6,892.

As millions of American’s take advantage of deals on the biggest online shopping days, State Farm is providing the following recommendations on how to protect your packages and home from porch pirates.

Ask your neighbor for a helping hand. Ask a trusted neighbor to stop by to pick up your packages and mail, especially if you will be traveling at the time of their arrival. Also, your house key may be better off with your neighbor than under the welcome mat or a plastic rock.

Require a signature for package delivery. By utilizing this capability, you ensure that you’ll be receiving the package directly and it won’t be sitting in front of your house for any length of time.

Make your home appear occupied. Install exterior lights on timers and/or motion sensors with security cameras visible from the street to notify you of intruders. Set the timers on staggered hours to turn lights on and off at different times.

Consider setting up a home security system. It can qualify homeowners for discounts on their insurance.

Make existing locks more secure. Install a heavy-duty strike plate using 3-inch screws that penetrate the wall stud and strengthen the door frame by installing a door jamb reinforcement product.

Create open spaces in your landscaping.  Keep bushes trimmed so burglars have fewer places to hide. Plant thorny bushes such as roses in vulnerable areas. Trim trees and shrubs around windows and doors.

Let your dog be seen and heard. Dogs are exceptional deterrents to theft. A thief who knows there’s a dog in the house may pick another target.

Don’t share your travel itinerary on social media. Avoid chatting about your vacation plans on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Refrain from posting travel photos online until after you’ve returned.