Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co.’s Loss Prevention department says it has recently seen “outbreaks of shipping losses” and offers these tips to reduce the chance of shipping problems this holiday:

• Place merchandise in a medium-size cardboard inner box sealed with tape. Label this inner box with your return address (no jewelry-related words) and the tracking number.

• Place the inner box in a strong, oversize shipping box. To prevent the package from rattling, tape or glue the inside box to the outside box. If possible, use a packaging box from the delivery service. Never use an envelope or old box.

• Fill the box with packing material to protect the smaller box. Avoid jewelry catalogs or ads.

• Seal the shipping box with reinforced mailing tape, pressure-sensitive shipping tape, or tamper-evident tape, or stamp over the tape so that any tampering is evident.

• Address the package clearly and double-check the address.

• Do not indicate that the package is coming from or going to a jewelry-related business. Don’t list jewelry-related words or ZIP codes. Disguise the return address as well.

• List the contents of the package as “parts” or “supplies,” never jewelry.

• When possible, deliver packages to the post office, to the carrier’s convenience center, or to another location outside of these ZIP code areas. Avoid shipping to a residential address.

• Log the details of the shipment, its value, and the carrier used in case of a loss. Require a signed receipt upon delivery.

• Buy insurance coverage from the shipper. Don’t assume it’s automatic.

• Inform the recipient when the package is sent.

• Before signing for shipments, be sure you have received the correct number of packages. Open them and check their contents in front of a security camera, so the entire transaction is documented.

For additional security tips, visit JewelersMutual.com and click on Security and Safety.