With the exchanging of gifts during the Celebration of Christmas, Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves is providing tips to help safeguard them.

"As you put boxes and packages out by the roadside to be picked up by sanitation crews, break down the boxes, rather than just stacking them, which can serve to display what is likely now inside your home," cautioned Sheriff Groves.

"Another suggestion which is quick and effective is to snap a picture of valuable items, such as jewelry, firearms and serial numbers and tools with identifying marks."

"It's not uncommon for law enforcement to take a theft report from an owner who isn't able to provide serial numbers for property, including guns. It's also not uncommon for law enforcement to respond to calls or conduct traffic stops where they come in contact with property which may very likely be stolen. With photos, which can be disseminated to other regional agencies, law enforcement's ability to identify and recover the stolen property is enhanced."

 "Finally, I strongly encourage everyone to, if they don't already, remove keys from vehicles including UTV's when they aren't driving them, remove valuables and firearms from vehicles at night, lock vehicles at night, lock residential doors and windows, turn on exterior lights at night and call law enforcement if suspicious activity is noticed in a neighborhood," concluded Sheriff Groves.