The gift-giving, the decorations, the plethora of holiday cheer…the rampant criminal element. Not to be a buzz kill on your holiday celebrations. But as you exchange those presents and trim the tree, keep in mind that the number of burglaries increases during the holiday season.

To avoid being the victim of a holiday crime, just take a few simple precautions.

- When you go out, leave some lights or the television on so your house looks occupied.
- If you go out of town, splurge on automatic light timers, and ask the neighbors to pick up your mail and newspaper.
- Don’t advertise your holiday swag. Wait until garbage day to set your boxes on the curb.

The holiday season is also a good time to reassess your home insurance needs, namely theft endorsements and floaters for all those new, pricey possessions. If you give or receive jewelry, computer gadgets or fine art, you should probably discuss additional coverage with your insurer. An endorsement to your homeowners’ policy allows you to set a higher amount of coverage on certain personal items covered under your current home policy.

A personal articles floater covers purchases, like jewelry, for their full value, based on a receipt or appraisal. If you are storing expensive items in your car while shopping and they are stolen, they won’t be covered under your auto insurance. However, if you have adequate homeowners’ insurance with the appropriate add-ons, you may be reimbursed for a portion of the cost.

The lull after the holiday season is also a good time to update your home inventory. Ward off post-holiday blues by compiling a list of your new stuff. Don’t forget to keep receipts and to record as much information as possible. To simplify the process, download free, home inventory software from the Insurance Information Institute.