How to keep your packages safe this holiday season

With letters flying off the shelves every which way and packages stacked up to the ceiling, Canada Post outlets in Calgary at Christmas might as well double as Santa's workshop.

"This is our busiest time of year, as you can see. We are delivering parcels, six, seven days a week," said Jocelyn Courtaeu with Canada Post. "It's the best time of year here, and it's our time to shine as a company."

Employees here work their best to ensure that all the packages arrive safe and on time for Christmas.

But even though the Calgary depot has brought in approximately 150 extra staff and close to 100 extra vehicles, there is always the possibility for error.

So how can Calgarians take extra precautions to ensure that all presents arrive in time for Christmas morning — especially with so-called "porch pirates" playing the role of Grinch this December?

"We've got a thing called FlexDelivery if you're concerned about packages. You can have it delivered to a post office that is nearest to your work or your home," Courtaeu said. "At your home, it gives you that option to not even have a parcel left outside your door."

The service means residents can have packages left elsewhere on their property, like under a barbecue or by a side door.

Using priority shipping, Canadians should send out all packages by Dec. 21 to ensure they arrive by Christmas. When ordering products online, shoppers should always check with the retailer to determine when packages may arrive.

Though some companies plan to start delivering packages via drone, for now, Canada Post still drops off deliveries on two feet.

That's why it's important to keep your sidewalks clear of ice and snow, as carriers can refuse to deliver if they believe sidewalks are unsafe.

"We really ask that our customers clear the pathways [to] keep our carriers safe, as well as any company they're going to be having," Courtaeu said.

The holiday season is still just beginning, with many deliveries still to come — but Canada Post says it is already putting up record numbers.

"We had a record 1.7 million [deliveries] in a day," said Karen Fidler, a letter carrier with the postal operator. "We've really stepped it up. We delivered almost as many parcels as Santa Claus."