The holidays are coming and you can’t help but admire all the lovely presents that have been wrapped and placed under your tree. (Remember Home Alone?) It’s enough just to put a Scrooge-like veil on what is tradition “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Still don’t believe it? The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that nearly 400,000 home burglaries occur each year in the United States between November and December. It is therefore important to protect your home if you bring expensive gifts or items into the home.

“Most homes are extremely vulnerable to burglaries during the December holidays,”Bob Beach, Chief of Longwood University’s Police Force in Farmville, Virginia, said the following: “Keeping your home safe from thieves during the holidays requires following just a few basic safety measures.”

These travel and home security tips can help you to put an end to Mr. Grinch’s schemes and keep your possessions and yourself safe.

* Take trusted transportation. Avoid unmarked or unknown vehicles. The best option is to take a taxi from the airport or hotel.

* Ask for help. It is always better to ask for help than to wait for someone else to assist you. This will allow you to control the situation at all time.

* Keep your wallet and purse close. Women should carry small purses that are easy to reach. Men should keep their wallets (or money clips) in the front pocket.

* Protect yourself and your home. A number of small keychain alarms and pepper sprays can give you security. You can find the following: SABREFor those who plan to travel outside of the hotel, a personal alarm keychain can be attached to your keys. For those occasions when you’re away from home, SABRE offers standalone alarms or wireless home security. These standalone alarms can be installed quickly and cost as low as $20 to $50.

* Watch what you throw away. Potential intruders will often search your trash for clues. Criminals will be alerted if they find boxes with expensive gift items or receipts for large purchases.

You can find more safety information at www.security.gov www.sabrered.com.