BENTON – ‘Tis the Season for an increased number of residential package deliveries.

Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon urges residents to take precautions to protect their deliveries.

More than 120 million packages were stolen across the U.S. last year with an average loss per household of $106.

Package theft is most often a crime of opportunity and thieves look for packages left in the open.

To prevent these quick and easy thefts, take steps to protect your deliveries.

Set up tracking notifications, install a doorbell camera, require a signature upon delivery, or have your packages delivered to a neighbor who is often home or your place of employment.

You may also communicate with your postal carrier or other delivery service to ensure that your packages are placed in an unnoticeable location.