Package Safety Tips from Postal Inspectors.

• Position: HOLIDAY SHIPPING

As the holiday shipping season is here, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service advises everyone mailing gifts to become educated and play their part to ensure their special packages arrive to their destination safely.

Here are a few tips:

* Bring all packages inside your home in a timely manner. Packages left on front porches and in mailboxes are a tempting target for thieves.

* Hold your mail at the post office if you are going out of town by signing up for Hold Mail service on usps.com. Your letters and packages will be held securely at your post office until you pick them up or request they be delivered to your home.

* Plan ahead. If you are sending packages, you can choose the Hold for Pickup option on usps.com. The packages will be held at the recipient's local post office until that person can pick them up. If you are expecting a package, you can redirect it to your post office by selecting Hold for Pickup using Intercept a Package under Track & Manage on usps.com.

* Customize the delivery. If you are expecting something you know will not fit in your...