As families start to put away recently received gifts, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is providing some quick and easy tips to help keep them secure.

Break down boxes instead of stacking them near the curb for pickup, where they serve as a display of what items could be found inside the home. Take pictures of valuable items, such as firearms, including serial numbers, tools and jewelry. This will help law enforcement recover items in case they are stolen.

Remove any valuables from cars, especially at night, and make sure the windows are up and doors are locked. Doing this decreases the likelihood of someone rummaging through a vehicle.